Prince William Steps Into Surprise New Role As Queen’s Personal Aide De Camp
Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, has been made a personal aide-de-camp to his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, it was announced today.
The honorary appointment was made via a Court Circular while Prince William wore the insignia of his new role for the first time today at the St Patrick’s Day parade for the 1st Battalion Irish Guards at a Barracks in Aldershot, England.
The Prince was accompanied by his five months pregnant wife Kate, who was gallantly helped by her husband when she got the heel of one of her shoes stuck in a grate during the parade. The couple were also recently seen enjoying a day at the races for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The aide-de-camp position won’t burden the second-in-line to the throne with a great deal of duties, but it is seen as hugely symbolic of William’s growing role within the royal family.
Royal watchers have noted that the the Queen, who has been suffering from the symptoms of gastroenteritis, recently canceled her public engagements for the foreseeable since she was stricken on Friday, March 1.
The Court Circular stated that the Queen “has been pleased to appoint The Duke of Cambridge as a personal aide-de-Camp to Her Majesty” with effect from today.
Historically, Queen Victoria (1819-1901) was the first to monarch to institute the appointment of a small group of personal aides-de-camp (ADC) positions, with one of the earliest holders being Prince Louis of Battenberg.
William’s father, Charles, the Prince of Wales is also a personal aide-de-camp to the Queen. The Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen’s husband was made a personal aide-de-camp by the queen’s father, King George VI.
The position is also held by some senior officers in the UK’s armed services and involves duties such as attending the Queen at the state opening of Parliament or representing her at memorial services.
Last summer, Prince William was given the highest honor in Scotland when he was installed as a Royal Knight of the Order of the Thistle. He is also a Knight of the Garter.
What do you think of Prince William’s new appointment? Pomp and circumstance or something more meaningful?
