As Kate Middleton prepares to step into the role of queen one day, royal fans and observers are wondering just what a Queen Kate reign could look like. In the meantime before she and her husband Prince William ascend the throne, Middleton could be adding some new and exciting duties added to her roster.
The London Times reported that she’ll soon have the power to “recognize British skills and industry” by granting royal warrants. If this happens, the honor will be “a first for anyone holding the title Princess of Wales since the days of Queen Mary, who issued warrants before her husband, George V, ascended the throne in 1910.”
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The outlet noted that the honor even skipped Princess Diana, despite King Charles being able to grant royal warrants as far back as the 1980s. Think of the royal warrant as a seal of approval—according to the Royal Family’s official website, “A Royal Warrant of Appointment is granted as a mark of recognition to people or companies who have regularly supplied goods or services to the Royal Household.”
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Charles is currently the only member of the royal family that is able to give out royal warrants, meaning it’s possible he may pass on the appointment to William and Middleton; Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, and the Queen Mother all had the ability to do so before their deaths.
So what to expect from a potential royal warrant appointment for the Prince and Princess of Wales? Christine Ross, royal expert and author of The Princess Project newsletter, previously told Marie Claire, “From what we know about her choices in the past, the Princess of Wales is most likely to present royal warrants to small, heritage businesses to utilize her platform in the most meaningful way.”
