Kate Middleton Wears Her Regal Honors From The Queen To Buckingham Palace
The duchess layered a special badge and sash over her evening gown
Photo: Getty
Kate Middleton
Duchess Kate attended the Diplomatic Corps reception at Buckingham Palace this evening in London decked in all her royal splendor, white-tie attire and tiara included. And while fans of the Duchess of Cambridge might've been easily captivated by her finery and jewels, they may have overlooked equally significant (albeit less sparkly) details on her ensemble, like the badges symbolizing honors from the queen.
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The blue sash layered over her dress featuring a dangling cross signifies Kate's appointment as a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO), which she just received from the queen in April as a gift for her eighth wedding anniversary with Prince William. Her Majesty appoints individuals to this high rank of chivalry to recognize their service to the crown. Her other royal in-laws including Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (Prince Charles's wife), and Sophie, Countess of Wessex (Prince Edward's wife), have also received the honor.
Kate wore her decoration publicly for the first time in June to a state banquet honoring President Trump.
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At a Buckingham Palace banquet for a U.S. state visit in June 2019. Photo: Getty
Kate Middleton
In addition to her sash, Kate also wore a yellow ribbon with a small brooch containing a portrait of the queen pinned to her outfit. This accessory denotes the Royal Family Order, another form of chivalry that acknowledges one's service to the sovereign. The Duchess of Cambridge wore this badge to last year's Diplomatic Corps dinner, and it accented her icy-blue Alexander McQueen gown.
It's common for members of the royal family to flaunt their titles of chivalry at state dinners or official gatherings like today's annual fete. Viewers will notice that like Duchess Kate, the queen and the Duchess of Cornwall also wore items like blue sashes or yellow ribbons pinned to their gowns.
This article originally appeared on Harper's BAZAAR US.
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