Queen Elizabeth Just Bestowed a Rare Honor on Kate Middleton

From Town & Country

Queen Elizabeth just gave the Duchess of Cambridge even more reason to celebrate on her eighth wedding anniversary. The British monarch has made her granddaughter-in-law a Dame Grand Cross is the Royal Victorian Order. A Dame Grand Cross is the highest rank in the Order and the equivalent of a Knight.

A statement was released from Royal Communications announcing the news this afternoon. It reads:

According to the royal family's website, an appointment to the Royal Victorian Order is "the personal gift of the Sovereign, this honour is awarded to those who have served The Queen or the monarchy in a particular way." As the name might imply, the award was establish by Queen Victoria in 1896, and Kate's appointment comes just in time for the service for the order, which according to Majesty Magazine, will be held on Friday, May 3 at Windsor Castle.

In addition to Kate, members of the royal family who have been appointed to the Royal Victorian Order include Prince Harry, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Duke of York, Princess Alexandra, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent, and Prince Michael of Kent.

But being a member of the British royal family isn't a requirement. The list also includes British diplomats and others who have served the monarchy in some way, and there are even some honorary members, such as Emperor Akihito of Japan and King Harald V of Norway, to name just two.

Notably, the next time Kate appears at a formal event, her new honor will visibly apparent, as those in the RVO wear a blue sash in recognition of their appointment. She will also continue to wear a yellow badge, which indicates the Royal Family Order. She was first publicly seen wearing that badge last fall.

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