The Princess of Wales, 42, has been bestowed a significant new honour by King Charles III: the prestigious Royal Family Order of King Charles. While Kate was absent from the Qatar State Banquet on Tuesday night, the honour underscores her vital role within the monarchy.

The Royal Family Order is a distinguished insignia granted by the reigning monarch to female members of the royal family, symbolizing appreciation for their service. At the banquet, Princess Anne and the Duchess of Edinburgh proudly wore their orders, displaying King Charles’s portrait alongside those of Queen Elizabeth II.

The miniature portraits, encased in diamonds and set on coloured silk bows, hold great symbolic and traditional value. King Charles’s order features a pale blue bow, while Queen Elizabeth II’s was yellow. These are typically worn on the left shoulder during formal royal occasions, such as State Banquets, Diplomatic Receptions, and official state visits.

This recognition reflects King Charles’s confidence in Princess Kate’s enduring commitment to her royal duties. While she participated in the daytime events of the state visit, she did not attend the evening banquet. However, the Princess of Wales is expected to debut her new Royal Family Order at the next State Banquet.

The late Princess Margaret famously displayed her three Royal Family Orders—those of King George V, King George VI, and Queen Elizabeth II. Similarly, Kate is likely to accumulate three of her own in time: from Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III, and eventually, her husband, Prince William, upon his ascension to the throne.

Kate has previously showcased her Royal Victorian Order and its blue sash. In 2019, she was appointed a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) by Queen Elizabeth II on her eighth wedding anniversary, recognizing her services to the sovereign.

The Royal Victorian Order, founded in 1896 by Queen Victoria, honours personal service to the monarch. As heir to the throne, Prince William will eventually become Sovereign of the Order. He currently holds other esteemed titles, including Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (the highest knighthood in the British honours system) and Knight of the Order of the Thistle (Scotland’s highest honour).