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9th January 2026
04:18pm GMT
King Charles has broken royal protocol to give Kate Middleton a new privilege.
The monarch has bestowed a new power upon his son, Prince William, and the Princess of Wales, marking the first time this has happened in 116 years.
He has strayed from tradition to give the couple permission to issue a royal warrant of approval to the brands and individuals that they love.
What does this mean exactly? Well, from the Spring, Kate and Wills will be able to give brands the royal warrant.
Current holders include brands such as Heinz and Burberry, but there is strict critera that the companies granted the warrant must have supplied the royals “with goods or services for at least five years out of the past seven years, and have an ongoing trading relationship”.
Kate and William will join Charles and Camilla as the people who are able to give out the royal stamp of approval.
The change comes amid Kate’s rare comment about her cancer journey.
During a recent visit to Charing Cross Hospital in London, Kate visited a chemotherapy ward.
A volunteer explained to Kate how patients and visitors will stay “for hours,” to which Kate replied: “I know.”
She then touched William’s arm, and added: “We know.”
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