The Duchess of Cornwall

The Duchess of Cornwall was appointed to the highest female rank in the Royal Victorian Order, a personal gift awarded by the Queen in recognition of “personal” service to the monarchy.

The announcement, which came on the Duchess and the Prince of Wales’s seventh wedding anniversary, 9 April, illustrates the Queen’s fondness for her daughter-in-law and will be considered a public endorsement of her important role within the family.

It makes the 64-year-old Duchess a Dame Grand Cross in recognition of her commitment to public duties and sees her join an exclusive group of current recipients.

The award was founded in April 1896 by Queen Victoria as a way of rewarding personal service to her and is bestowed independently of 10 Downing Street.

The Duchess has taken on a wide range of patronages and travelled extensively overseas on official visits since marrying the Prince of Wales in a civil ceremony in 2005.

Congratulations to the Duchess. Public opinion hasn't given you an easy time of it but you've made the Prince of Wales visibly happy, Princes William and Harry like and have accepted you and obviously the Queen likes you.

Good job you!

The Royal website has more information on the Royal Victorian Order

Getty photos