Princess Catherine receives new title from father-in-law King Charles III

Princess Catherine has been bestowed a new royal title by her father-in-law, King Charles III

As per the long-standing traditions of St. Georges Day, King Charles III made waves on April 23, announcing a flurry of new appointments.

The news coincided with the sixth birthday of his grandson, Prince Louis – the son of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Among the notable appointments, the 75-year-old King bestowed the prestigious title of Royal Companion of the Order of the Companions of Honour upon his daughter-in-law, Princess Catherine, 42.

Princess Catherine has been bestowed the prestigious title of Royal Companion of the Order of the Companions of Honour Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

This historic move marks her as the very first Royal Companion to grace this esteemed order, which was founded by King George V in 1917 to honor outstanding achievements across various realms, from arts to public service.

The Princess of Wales’ elevation to this esteemed position places her at the pinnacle of the regular Order of the Companion of Honour, joining luminaries such as currently include Sirs David Attenborough and Elton John, and Dames Anna Wintour, Judi Dench, and Maggie Smith.

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The order only has 65 members at a time, per PEOPLE, and previous big names to be bestowed the honor also include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Dame Vera Lynn, and former UK PM Winston Churchill.

Yet, the decision to confer this honor upon Princess Catherine is not merely ceremonial; it’s deeply personal. The Sun reports that King Charles III has been growing ever-closer with his daughter-in-law, as both navigate their respective cancer treatments.

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A source told The Sun that King Charles selected Princess Catherine for the honor due to the “esteem in which she is held” and her unwavering dedication since assuming the role of Princess of Wales following Queen Elizabeth II’s passing.

Reflecting on their relationship, royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told PEOPLE that Princess Catherine is “the daughter [King Charles] never had. “He shares with William an impulse to protect her. They are in this together, Kate and the King,” Smith added.

Buckingham Palace echoed this sentiment, expressing pride in Princess Catherine’s courage in addressing her cancer diagnosis publicly – emphasizing how King Charles was “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did”.

In addition to Princess Kate’s accolade, other notable appointments include Prince William’s ascendancy to Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath and the Duchess of Gloucester’s recognition as one of four new Companions to the Order of the Garter – which is the highest chivalric prize dating back 700 years!