Kate Middleton has recently received a royal honour that hasn’t been granted to a Princess of Wales in more than 100 years—a responsibility last held by Queen Elizabeth II’s grandmother, Princess Mary of Teck.

A Title with Historic Roots

After the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, Kate, 43, assumed the title of Princess of Wales alongside her husband Prince William, now the Prince of Wales. Before Kate, the title had not been officially used since 1997, the year of Princess Diana’s tragic death in Paris. Although Diana famously held the title, she was never given this particular distinction during her lifetime.

A Role Not Seen Since Queen Mary

This past week, Kate was granted a significant royal duty—one that was last held by Queen Mary (formerly Princess Mary of Teck): the power to issue Royal Warrants. These warrants are formal recognitions granted by the monarchy, allowing businesses to display the Royal Arms on their products as a mark of official patronage.

Endorsing British Craftsmanship

William’s private secretary, Ian Patrick, shared with HELLO! magazine, “Their Royal Highnesses are delighted to be able to recognize and celebrate British industry, creativity, and skills through the granting of Warrants.” These warrants are typically awarded for a five-year period and signal that the recipient has provided goods or services directly to a royal household.

By next year, Kate and William will officially begin selecting the companies they wish to support. This not only honors those businesses, but also gives them permission to display the royal coat of arms on their packaging—a powerful symbol of royal endorsement.