Kate Middleton Is Decked Out in Royal Honors at Tonight's Diplomatic Reception
The royal family keeps up a busy schedule of public appearances and private events—but it's the rare occasion that requires them to don gowns and tiaras. Tonight's annual diplomatic reception is one of those highly-anticipated fêtes, and nearly all of the senior royals dressed to the nines.
For her part, Kate Middleton chose to wear a dark-hued dress, as well as her Lover's Knot tiara, a stunning necklace, and a pair of earrings. In addition to her dress and jewels, though, she was wearing two prominent accessories: a luxe blue sash and a yellow ribboned brooch.
Like Kate's royal heirloom tiara, her sash and brooch aren't the type of items that can be found in a store. They were each bestowed upon her by Queen Elizabeth, in recognition of her years of service as a working royal. The sash signifies Kate's role as a member of the Royal Victorian Order, an appointment the Duchess received this past spring, on her and Prince William's wedding anniversary. The yellow ribbon and badge, on the other hand, is a Royal Family Order—a separate honor, which Kate received last year.
It's not at all surprising that it took Kate several years to earn her two royal orders. The Queen only bestows these awards to members of her family after they've logged copious hours of work and completed many, many engagements. (It should be noted, however, that being a royal isn't a prerequisite for receiving an order; British diplomats and other citizens that have served the monarchy, as well as even foreign royals, are currently members of the Royal Victorian Order.)
It may have taken Kate some time to get her first two, but as the Windsors tend to accumulate awards from the Queen throughout their careers as working royals, there are likely many more royal honors in her future.
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