Princess Anne is 'not permitted' to perform royal privilege unlike Kate

Kate, 43, joins King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales in being able to bestow these honours to suppliers of goods and services to the royal household.

The decision marks a significant expansion of Kate's royal responsibilities, with Royal Warrants being among the most prestigious recognitions a company can receive from the monarchy.

Royal Warrants are awarded to people and companies that regularly supply goods or services to the royal household, with approval always coming from the monarch.

To be eligible, companies must have supplied goods or services for at least three years.

The warrants are highly sought-after public certificates that demonstrate a company has the King or another member of the Royal Family as a client.

Recipients can range from major household names like Rolls-Royce to small local shops near royal residences such as Balmoral and Sandringham.

The granting of warrant-issuing powers to Kate is particularly noteworthy as previous prominent royals were not given this privilege, according to royal commentator Brian Hoey.

Writing in the Mail, Hoey said: "The late Queen did not allow [King Charles's] then-wife, Princess Diana, to award any warrants. Instead, she used to send hand-written notes in recognition of excellent service, which were equally cherished by the recipients.

"Princess Anne is not permitted to send warrants, even though she is, arguably, the hardest working member of the Royal Family."

Queen Elizabeth II bestowed 686 warrants during her reign, while the late Queen Mother held the record for most warrants granted.

Companies granted a warrant by Kate will be entitled to display "By Royal Appointment to Catherine Princess of Wales" on their stationery and buildings.

The warrant allows recipients to use the "By Appointment" legend and display the Royal Coat of Arms on their products, premises and delivery vehicles.

These distinctions bring both prestige and commercial advantages, as many customers prefer to purchase from royal suppliers, believing that 'if it's good enough for royalty, it's good enough for them'.

Royal Warrants expire upon the death of the royal who granted them, though recipients may continue using them for two years afterwards.

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Companies must apply to the Lord Chamberlain's Office in writing, with applications carefully reviewed by the Royal Household Tradesmen's Warrants Committee.

New warrant holders are nominated each December and published in the London Gazette.

Members of the Royal Warrant Holders Association celebrate their status at an annual banquet held at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane.