Prince William and Princess Anne Host the First Investitures Since the Queen’s Death

More than a month has passed since the death of Queen Elizabeth, and there’s one big sign that the royals are settling into their new normal. This week, Princess Anne and Prince William hosted the first investiture ceremonies since the queen’s death in the familiar Crimson Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace. Though the pair were representing King Charles III in hosting the events, the appointments to the British Honors System were announced by the late queen in her New Year’s and Birthday lists over the last year.

On Wednesday, Princess Anne wore her military uniform and sensible shoes to honor a group that included motorcycle racer Jonathan Rea, paralympic swimmer Maisie Summers-Newton, designer Esmeralda Devlin, rugby coach and former player Jamie Jones-Buchanan. On Thursday, William awarded a damehood to iconic actor Vanessa Redgrave, joining fellow actresses Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, and the late Angela Lansbury among the ranks of screen stars who have received the honor. He also gave an MBE to Emma Probert, a police sergeant who has served as Princess Kate’s bodyguard since 2010.

Accompanying Redgrave to the ceremony were her daughter, Joely Richardson, son Carlos Nero and his wife Jennifer Nero. Afterward Redgrave told the Press Association about the significance of the event. “You don’t compare going for an investiture at Buckingham Palace with any other achievement, whatever it is,” she said. “It is unique.”

William serves as the president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, and at the 2010 BAFTA Awards, he presented Redgrave with the group’s Fellowship lifetime achievement award. The actor told the PA she was “thrilled” that William was also hosting her investiture.

Ever since investiture ceremonies resumed as pandemic restrictions loosened back in 2021, the queen began to cede most of the ceremonies to Charles, William, and Anne. In a statement on Twitter, the palace explained that they are still working through the queen’s last lists. “Over the coming months members of The Royal Family will continue to present awards to those recognised in The late Queen’s Birthday and New Year’s Honors lists,” it read.

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