Kate Middleton was honored by BFF Queen Elizabeth in this special way during a lavish state banquet to honor King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima during their visit to the United Kingdom.
Middleton donned a stunning brooch, the Royal Family Order, a personal gift from the queen, painted with an image of the monarch and made from glass as reported by Hello! Magazine .
This was the second time that Kate had been seen wearing the special gift – the first being in December when she attended the Diplomatic Corps reception.
The Royal Family Order is a special honor given to female family members as a thank you for their service reported Hello! . Middleton’s late mother-in-law Princess Diana also received one during her marriage to Prince Charles.
Middleton donned a stunning blue Alexander McQueen gown for the event, which she accessorized with Princess Diana’s Collingwood pearl earrings, and the Lovers Knot tiara.
Her necklace also had history to it as well. The jewelry was Queen Alexandra’s wedding gift necklace.
Over the years, the relationship between the queen and Kate has deepened, likely due to the fact that someday, Middleton will become Queen of England herself.
For example, when the Duchess’ wedding dress was displayed in July 2011, the royal monarch accompanied her new granddaughter-in-law on an official viewing, and the following year she invited Kate to accompany her on three more engagements — two of which were without William, reported Pop Sugar .
Kate later said in the documentary Our Queen at Ninety that she truly admires the monarch.
“The most memorable engagement for me was an away-day to Leicester. I went without William, so I was rather apprehensive about that….She was very supportive. The fact she took the time to make sure that I was happy and looked after for that particular occasion, which probably in everything that she’s doing is a very small element, it shows just how caring she is really.”
The queen’s hospitality has also extended itself to Middleton’s parents, Carole and Michael. She invited the couple to Royal Ascot in 2011 and 2012, where they rode in her carriage procession. The Queen has also invited them to ride on a boat in her Diamond Jubilee River Pageant.
Her fondness for her granddaughter-in-law became even more apparent when the queen was honored as the longest-serving monarch of all time in September of 2015. Instead of a large celebration, Pop Sugar reported she chose to celebrate quietly at her Balmoral home alongside her husband Prince Philip, Prince William, and Middleton.
