NEW honours that have been handed out to the royal family have been slated as an “act of breathtaking nepotism”.
Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales have all received honours, with William becoming the Great Master of the Order of the Bath.
Kate Middleton is the first royal to be named a Companion of Honour, which is awarded for “having a major contribution to the arts, science, medicine, or government lasting over a long period of time”.
Other recipients of this have been Shirley Bassey and Elton John.
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The Queen, meanwhile, becomes the Grand Master of the Order of the British Empire - once held by Prince Philip – and head of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, set up in 1917 to honour a broader cross-section of civilian and military recipients.
Graham Smith, CEO of anti-monarchy group Republic, said the “pointless medals” were a “slap in the face for all the hardworking people who get awarded MBEs, OBEs and CBEs".
He added: “The royals do very little in return for huge reward - but that's never enough.
"Instead, we see our head of state handing out trinkets and medals to his own family in an act of breathtaking nepotism."
The appointments are traditionally announced on St George’s Day.
Last year republicans hit out when King Charles bestowed Scotland’s highest honour upon his wife Camilla, as the move was branded “cronyism with a crown on top”.
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Camilla was brought into the “Order of the Thistle” in June, an honour dating back to at least 1687 that “recognises Scottish men and women who have held public office or who have contributed in a particular way to national life”.
William is also in the order, as is Princess Anne. Appointments are made entirely at the whim of the King.
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