4 Royal Privileges Princess Anne Has That Kate Doesn't

Princess Kate may be the future Queen, but Princess Anne has a very different standing within the Royal Family as she was born into it. As the late Queen Elizabeth II’s only daughter, Anne grew up at the heart of the institution and has taken on responsibilities that only a few other royals have. Her position comes with some privileges that Kate, despite her future status, simply does not have.

Anne has something Kate can never have: the title of Princess Royal. Queen Elizabeth gave Anne the title in 1987, when she was already an established working royal. Traditionally given to the monarch’s eldest daughter, it is considered the highest honor that can be bestowed on a female member of the Royal Family. Anne will keep the title for life, so it will not pass to another royal while she holds it. If William later chooses to give it to Princess Charlotte, she could eventually become the next Princess Royal.

Anne has a place among the King’s Counsellors of State that is hers for life, something Kate will not have in the same way. Anne initially held the role years ago, from 1971 to 2003, before losing it when William became old enough to qualify. But Charles asked Parliament in 2022 to bring Anne and Prince Edward back into the group because he wanted more royals available to handle official business when he was unavailable. The resulting law gave both of them the position for life. Kate could eventually become a Counsellor of State when William is King, but her position would come through being the monarch’s wife, not through a lifetime appointment like Anne’s.

Anne’s royal work comes with a household of its own, including a Private Secretary and staff who help keep everything running. Kate’s setup is a little different. She and William work through the joint Household of the Prince and Princess of Wales, so their official offices are part of the same operation. On the other hand, Anne has a separate household built around her own duties as Princess Royal, rather than sharing one with another senior royal.

Royal honors are one area where Anne gets to do something Kate currently cannot. Along with Charles and William, she is one of only three members of the Royal Family who conduct Investitures. That puts Anne in charge of ceremonies where people receive honors such as knighthoods, damehoods, and other awards, usually after being named in the King’s Birthday or New Year Honors lists. Kate attends plenty of major royal occasions, but Investitures are not currently part of her duties.