There is nothin’ like a damehood ...for the Duchess
Queen’s wedding anniversary gift for Kate
THE Queen marked the eighth wedding anniversary of the Duchess of Cambridge yesterday by awarding her the most illustrious honour.
Kate has been appointed a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO), Buckingham Palace announced last night.
It entitles her to wear a blue sash and a badge featuring the Maltese cross, surrounded by a blue ring and featuring a Tudor crown. More importantly, however, it is a sign of the monarch’s personal favour, the highest award she can give to mark services to the sovereign.
Kate joins other royal dames including the Duchess of Cornwall, the Countess of Wessex and Princess Anne. Knights Grand Cross include the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.
Kensington Palace did not comment but sources close to Kate said: ‘Her Royal Highness is honoured and looks forward to continuing her work in support of the Queen.’ The Royal Victorian Order dates from 1896, when prime ministers and governments had increased their influence over the distribution of awards and had gained almost total control of the system. An irritated Queen Victoria decided to institute her own order as a personal award for services performed on behalf of the sovereign.
Today this honour is still awarded in recognition of services to the Royal Family. The ranks are Knight or Dame Grand Cross, Knight or Dame Commander, Commander, Lieutenant and Member. Although each order looks the same, the badge of the Knight or Dame Grand Cross is biggest and is fashioned in white enamel with gold edging, setting it apart from the other ranks. The holder also wears the badge on a sash that crosses from the right shoulder to the left hip.
The ‘home’ of the Royal Victorian Order is The Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy, next to the Savoy Hotel on The Strand in London. The order is holding a service of Praise, Remembrance and Dedication on Friday for more than 1,000 members and medallists. It will take place at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, as the Savoy Chapel is too small.
The service is held every four years. It has not been confirmed whether Kate will attend.
Buckingham Palace said last night: ‘The Queen has been pleased to make the following appointment to the Royal Victorian Order: To be a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) – HRH The Duchess of Cambridge. Awards in the Royal Victorian Order are made personally by The Queen, for services to the Sovereign.’
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were understood to have spent their eighth wedding anniversary privately with their family. William has just returned from New Zealand, where he honoured the victims and survivors of the Christchurch terror attacks.