I agree with much of what you say Iluvbertie. The principle that one has to actually
earn the Order seems a sound one. The fact that Catherine is not working as a 'fully-performing royal' - for reasons that I fully accept, namely that she wants to be as 'normal a wife' and therefore keep out of the public spotlight - does, I think make it slightly harder for her to receive the reward of the Order from the Queen. It's just that - to me - the Diamond Jubilee does pose a
slight difficulty, with all other females of the BRF [save for Princess Michael] appearing with the Order at the formal state dinners which I am sure we will be seeing. Of course, Catherine might elect NOT to attend many of the formal Jubilee celebrations, consistent with the couple's desire not to be full-time working royals.
There's another reason I can think of as well, which I hardly dare not give, but I will. Catherine seems absolutely perfect for William and the couple seem very much in love..but there again, bearing in mind the matrimonial strife that seems to have befallen members of the Royal Family in the last 30 years or so, I speculate that the Queen
might and, please note, I did say '
might' want to wait for a couple of years before investing Catherine with Her Order, 'just to make sure'. I suppose we mustn't forget that both Diana and Sarah were seen as 'just perfect' as Royal brides when they married, and look what happened........
So far as the
Dowager Duchess of Grafton is concerned, she holds the highest rank of the Royal Victorian Order: the GCVO
[Dame Grand Cross], which she was awarded in 1980. She 'worked her way' through the ranks of the Order, first being made a CVO [Commander of the Royal Victorian Order] in 1965 and then being made a DCVO [Dame Commander] in 1970.
I can only assume that people are confusing the GCVO that she received with receipt of the Queen's family Order [which she has not of course received] because many of the senior ladies of the Royal Family do receive the GCVO as well.
Just a further piece of information for any intending future Royal Brides who might be reading this (!): if you are so honoured by the Queen with her family Order, you need to make sure that your evening dress is appropriately reinforced - the Order is VERY heavy apparently, and would not 'sit' properly on an 'unreinforced' evening dress!
Alex