Kate Middleton's bodyguard of 15 years gets special honor from Prince William

Prince William awarded Kate Middleton's bodyguard with a special honor on Wednesday, in recognition of the British policewoman's longstanding service to his beloved wife. 

• Prince William made Kate Middleton's bodyguard a Member of the Royal Victorian Order this week, in honor of the 51-year-old's longstanding service to the British monarchy. 
• Sergeant Emma Probert has protected the Princess of Wales at public engagements since 2010 and even attended the royal icon's wedding in 2011. 
• In other royal news, King Charles’ pinky ring – the history behind his style statement and the touching connection to his ancestors.
  

Prince William presented Kate Middleton's bodyguard with a special award at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, in honor of the former Met police officer's longstanding protection of his beloved wife. 

Sergeant Emma Probert was all smiles as the Prince of Wales made her a Member of the Royal Victorian Order (RVO), a British honor that recognizes distinguished services to the monarchy. 

The 51-year-old has been by Kate Middleton's side for 15 years now, helping to keep the mum-of-three safe at royal engagements since 2010. She first attracted media attention ahead of the princess's wedding in April 2011, after she was spotted arriving at the dress rehearsal for the historic event. 

It's understood that she and Kate developed a close bond early on in their working relationship, with one source telling the Evening Standard: "They already get on well, which is brilliant as they will be spending so much time in each other's company." 

Probert reportedly even accompanied the Princess of Wales to her wedding ceremony, joining her in the car en route to Westminster Abbey. 

Probert looked chuffed to receive the RVO this week, exchanging a few words with William after offering a subtle curtsy to the future king. She also appeared to be wearing the same outfit to the investiture ceremony that she'd worn to the couple's wedding ‒ a black and white dress with a floral pattern and an elegant blazer. 

Royal fans were quick to congratulate Probert on Twitter, with many hailing the protection officer for her staunch loyalty to the Crown. 

"Thank you for keeping the Princess safe!" one person wrote, while another said that the honor was "well deserved."

Others noted that the longstanding service could reflect the Prince and Princess of Wales' positive working relationship with their staff. 

"It says a lot that the P&PoW have rarely lost staff," an impressed fan commented. "They still have the same Nanny from when George was born, same bodyguard for 15+ years. You can tell they treat their staff with respect. And the staff show nothing but loyalty to the P&PoW."