Duchess of Cambridge receives top honour from Queen Elizabeth as royal baby due date nears

The world has been waiting for the birth of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s baby … but Kate Middleton has stolen the spotlight with an honour from the Queen.

The world has been waiting for news on Meghan and Harry’s baby but Kate stole the royal limelight yesterday.

The Queen, who will be first to know when the new baby arrives, gave the Duchess of Cambridge an honour.

The Duchess of Cambridge was appointed to the Royal Victorian Order, a personal gong bestowed by the Queen.

“The Queen has been pleased to make the following appointment to the Royal Victorian Order,” a statement said.

“To be a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order — HRH The Duchess of Cambridge.”

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The Duchess of Cambridge has been given an hour from the Queen. Picture: Matrix

Kate and Harry attended the Anzac Day Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, in London, last week. Picture: AP

The recognition, which comes as William and Kate celebrate their eighth wedding anniversary, was for personal help to the Queen.

But the announcement comes while royal watchers have been abuzz with anticipation for the arrival of the first child for Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

There were reports that the child would be able to apply for an American passport when born because of Meghan’s United States heritage.

And while the short odds are that Meghan will have a girl, even the surname of the child remains a mystery.

Kate is celebrating her eighth wedding anniversary to husband Prince William. Picture: AFP

Meghan said on International Women’s Day in March said she hoped that the child would be a feminist.

“I’d seen this documentary on Netflix on feminism and one of the things they said during pregnancy was ‘I feel the embryonic kicking of feminism,’” she said. “I love that. So boy or girl or whatever it is, we hope that that’s the case, our little bump.”

Kate and Harry appeared close despite ongoing reports of a feud between Kate and Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle. Picture: AFP

Meghan and Harry have decided to break with Royal tradition and keep details of the birth private while they bond with the baby.

Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland arrived in London last week but there has been no sign of her since.

It is understood she has been with Meghan at her home Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, with the baby due any day now.