• It’s official: Kate Middleton will be allowed the opportunity to grant prestigious Royal Warrants beginning in 2026.
  • Her husband, Prince William, will also get the opportunity to do so for the first time.
  • Kate is set to make history as the first Princess of Wales in 115 years to have this honor—not even Princess Diana, who was also Princess of Wales, had the opportunity.

Kate Middleton and Prince William are taking a major step forward as senior royals.

News broke late on June 30 that the Prince and Princess of Wales will be able to grant Royal Warrants—which, in layman’s terms, are the royal seal of approval for goods and services—beginning in 2026. 

The palace confirmed that the couple will issue their first Royal Warrants next year, with Ian Patrick—private secretary to William—saying (per Hello!), “Their Royal Highnesses are delighted to be able to recognize and celebrate British industry, creativity, and skills through the granting of Warrants.”

Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29, 2025.

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In this move, Kate will become the first Princess of Wales to grant Royal Warrants since Princess Mary of Teck did so in 1910—115 years ago. (Princess Diana never granted Warrants during her own time as Princess of Wales in the 1980s and 1990s.) Whichever brands get Kate’s seal of approval will no doubt reap the benefits—ever since the day her engagement to William was announced on November 16, 2010, the so-called “Kate Middleton Effect” has been in full force, from the sapphire blue Issa wrap dress she wore that day up to the present.

“The princess’s decision to back a certain brand or firm will likely generate a huge amount of business and publicity for them,” Hello! reported. 

Kate Middleton on November 15, 2023.

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Kate Middleton on May 22, 2023.

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King Charles and Queen Camilla granted Royal Warrants to more than 140 companies last year that already had existing Warrants, and then later issued a further 400 Warrants towards the end of the year. Warrants are given for up to five years at a time as a mark of recognition for supplying goods and services to members of the royal family or to the Royal Household, and having a Royal Warrant allows companies to use the royal coat of arms on its products, packaging, stationary, and the like.

Kate Middleton on September 26, 2023.

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Likely recipients of a coveted Royal Warrant from the Princess of Wales will likely be a number of fashion houses, like Catherine Walker, Jenny Packham, Alexander McQueen, and Erdem. She’ll also likely honor jewelers whose pieces she often wears, like Kiki McDonough, Robinson Pelham, and Catherine Zoraida.