It turns out the sensational headline you quoted is accurate, though somewhat overstated.
What’s actually happening
- At the French state banquet at Windsor Castle on July 8, 2025, Princess Catherine (Kate), the Princess of Wales, did debut the Royal Family Order of King Charles III, a rare and prestigious honour given personally by her father‑in‑law, King Charles III.
- That gave her a place among the very select few who hold this royal order—only Queen Camilla; Princess Anne; the Duchess of Edinburgh; and the Duchess of Gloucester had previously received it. Kate became the fifth woman to wear it.
What the award means
- The Royal Family Order of Charles III is a personal decoration bestowed by King Charles, typically reserved for female members of the royal family. It symbolizes recognition and trust from the sovereign.
- While it’s rare—only five women have received it as of July 2025—it is not a new honor created for Catherine specifically. Rather, it’s one of few and quite exclusive.
Other honours awarded to Catherine
Additionally, Princess Catherine received another significant, but distinct, honour earlier in 2024:
- On St George’s Day, April 23, 2024, King Charles appointed her as a Royal Companion of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH)—a first for any member of the Royal Family in its 107‑year history.
- That honour highlighted her public service and patronage of the arts, though some critics described it as lower‑ranked compared with traditional royal honours.
Summary table
In short, there is no new, never-used-before decoration created solely for Catherine, but she did receive one of the few existing Royal Family Orders of King Charles III, making her part of a very exclusive group. The stronger “shock” angle in the headline is really journalistic flair than historical precedent.
Let me know if you’d like to see images of the order or explore what it looks like!
