Colonel of the Irish Guards
Colonel-in-Chief of the 1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards
Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm
Royal Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Coningsby
Royal Honorary Air Commodore of the Air Cadets
A Historic Honour from King Charles
In April 2024, King Charles awarded Kate Middleton another significant title on St George’s Day. Buckingham Palace announced that she had been appointed a Royal Companion of The Order of the Companions of Honour — making her the first member of the royal family ever to receive this distinction.
The Order, founded by King George V (King Charles’ great-grandfather), recognises exceptional contributions in the fields of the arts, science, medicine, and public service. Among its 65 members are iconic figures like Elton John and Paul McCartney.
Kate’s appointment was not only historic but also seen as a gesture of support from King Charles, as both he and the princess had publicly revealed cancer diagnoses just weeks apart.
Championing the Arts
Kate’s involvement in the arts made her a natural fit for the Companions of Honour. She serves as patron for several prestigious cultural institutions, including:
The National Portrait Gallery
The Royal Photographic Society
The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)
Honours for William and Camilla
Prince William also received a notable title: Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, a role his father once held before becoming king. The title was passed on to William after Charles ascended the throne.
Meanwhile, Queen Camilla was named Grand Master and First or Principal Dame Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire — a position once held by Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II’s late husband.
