Princess Anne’s Husband Officially Joins Kate Middleton and Queen Camilla With New Title Recognition
The royal family may be enjoying their annual summer retreat at Balmoral in Scotland, but King Charles still remains focused on his duties. On August 21, the monarch quietly invested Sir Timothy Laurence with the Insignia of a Knight Grand Cross — the highest honor of the Royal Victorian Order. Like his wife, Princess Anne, Laurence has shown his loyalty to the Crown, now joining ranks with Kate Middleton and Queen Camilla, who also hold the powerful title. Established in 1896 by Queen Victoria, the Order recognizes exceptional personal service to the monarch.
Laurence’s powerful, albeit discreet, new honor was noted in the Court Circular, the official record of the royal family’s engagements. As reported by PEOPLE, he became the first royal to receive the distinction alongside Middleton. On April 29, 2019, coinciding with her eighth wedding anniversary to Prince William, the late Queen Elizabeth appointed the Princess of Wales as a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, the female equivalent of a Knight Grand Cross. Others with the honor include Camilla and the Duchess Sophie, while Anne became a Dame Grand Cross in 1974 before assuming the role of Grand Master in 2007.
Other recipients of the honor include blood royals such as Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. Laurence’s prestigious new title also comes with a ceremonial accessory, which he may debut during the upcoming state visit of US President Donald Trump next month at Windsor Castle. The insignia for a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order includes a sash, a badge, and a breast star. Meanwhile, Middleton, as a Dame Grand Cross, gets to wear a blue, red, and white sash over her dress as well as a badge featuring a Maltese cross at state banquets. At Charles's coronation in May 2023, she wore the red, white, and blue mantle (or robe) of the Order.
Interestingly, while Middleton is a member of the Royal Victorian Order, William does not hold the title. As heir to the throne, he will become Sovereign of the Order, a role currently held by Charles. Additionally, the Prince of Wales holds other prestigious honors, including Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, the highest-ranking knighthood in the UK, and Knight of the Order of the Thistle, Scotland’s top honor. As for Laurence, although he is not an official working royal, he has frequently supported the family at events like Trooping the Color and Remembrance Day throughout his 33 years of marriage to Anne.
According to HELLO! Laurence is 'honored and delighted' and will wear the insignia at the state banquet for Trump. The title of Knight Grand Cross (GCVO) represents the highest of the five ranks within the Royal Victorian Order. Unlike other titles, the King does not need government approval to bestow it, making Laurence’s recognition a direct acknowledgment from Charles for his ardent service to the royal family. Laurence was previously a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO), which was invested in him in 2011 by the late Queen.