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| New-year honours: How does the UK honours system work? | New-year honours: How does the UK honours system work? |
| (21 days later) | |
| England goalkeeper Mary Earps was awarded an MBE in the 2024 new-year honours | |
| The list of those receiving new-year honours is widely covered every January. | The list of those receiving new-year honours is widely covered every January. |
| The awards typically celebrate the contribution of celebrities, government employees and people who have served their community. | The awards typically celebrate the contribution of celebrities, government employees and people who have served their community. |
| When are honours awarded? | When are honours awarded? |
| Most honours are awarded at new year and on the monarch's official birthday, in June. | Most honours are awarded at new year and on the monarch's official birthday, in June. |
| The 2024 New Year Honours list included: | |
| a damehood for best-selling writer Jilly Cooper | |
| a knighthood for Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis and founder of pub chain JD Wetherspoon, Tim Martin | |
| CBEs (Commander of the British Empire) for ex-rugby league players Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield for raising awareness of motor neurone disease. | |
| an OBE (Officer of the British Empire) for England women's football interim captain Millie Bright and singer Leona Lewis | |
| MBEs (Member of the British Empire) for actress Emilia Clarke and England goalkeeper Mary Earps | |
| King Charles III's first birthday honours list, in 2023, included: | King Charles III's first birthday honours list, in 2023, included: |
| an OBE for ex-footballer Ian Wright | |
| MBEs for broadcasters Ken Bruce and Davina McCall | |
| a knighthood for former hostage Terry Waite | a knighthood for former hostage Terry Waite |
| Departing prime ministers can also issue resignation honours. | |
| Boris Johnson and Liz Truss both left office in 2022. | |
| Boris Johnson's resignation honours recognised close allies, including former Home Secretary Priti Patel | |
| Mr Johnson's controversial list, released in June 2023, initially contained eight names rejected by the House of Lords Appointments Commission. | |
| The body did not name the nominees - or reveal why they had not received approval. But Mr Johnson's ally, former Tory MP Nadine Dorries, said "sinister forces" had stopped her receiving a peerage. | |
| Ms Truss was widely criticised for submitting an honours list after only 49 days in the job. Her 11 nominations largely consisted of political supporters and former aides. | |
| When Parliament ends before a general election, dissolution honours are typically given to politicians. | When Parliament ends before a general election, dissolution honours are typically given to politicians. |
| And when a senior member of the Royal Family dies, Royal Victorian Order honours are awarded to people who served the family. | And when a senior member of the Royal Family dies, Royal Victorian Order honours are awarded to people who served the family. |
| How are people chosen for honours? | How are people chosen for honours? |
| The new-year and birthday Honours are awarded by the King, following recommendations by the prime minister or senior government ministers. | The new-year and birthday Honours are awarded by the King, following recommendations by the prime minister or senior government ministers. |
| Members of the public can also recommend people for an award. These nominations typically make up about a quarter of all recommendations. | |
| These honours lists include awards for people who: | These honours lists include awards for people who: |
| have made significant achievements in public life | have made significant achievements in public life |
| committed themselves to serving and helping Britain | committed themselves to serving and helping Britain |
| Resignation or dissolution honours are decided by the prime minister and do not go through the same process. | |
| The Foreign Office has responsibility for the Diplomatic Service and Overseas List. Honorary awards for foreign nationals are recommended by the foreign secretary. | The Foreign Office has responsibility for the Diplomatic Service and Overseas List. Honorary awards for foreign nationals are recommended by the foreign secretary. |
| Honours are traditionally kept confidential until the official announcement, with lists provided to media outlets at the last minute under embargo. | Honours are traditionally kept confidential until the official announcement, with lists provided to media outlets at the last minute under embargo. |
| But a number of 2024 new-year honours recipients issued their own embargoed press releases weeks in advance. | But a number of 2024 new-year honours recipients issued their own embargoed press releases weeks in advance. |
| 'I won!' Honours system loses its sense of modesty | 'I won!' Honours system loses its sense of modesty |
| How are nominees vetted? | How are nominees vetted? |
| People in line for an honour are checked by the Honours and Appointments Secretariat, which is part of the Cabinet Office government department. | People in line for an honour are checked by the Honours and Appointments Secretariat, which is part of the Cabinet Office government department. |
| The Cabinet Office has agreements with other government departments to let it access confidential information about nominees. | The Cabinet Office has agreements with other government departments to let it access confidential information about nominees. |
| For example, there is an agreement with HM Revenue and Customs to give a low, medium or high risk rating to nominee's tax affairs. | For example, there is an agreement with HM Revenue and Customs to give a low, medium or high risk rating to nominee's tax affairs. |
| Peerages are vetted by the House of Lords Appointments Commission. | Peerages are vetted by the House of Lords Appointments Commission. |
| A Parliamentary and Political Services Committee considers honours for politicians and for political service. | A Parliamentary and Political Services Committee considers honours for politicians and for political service. |
| In recent years, political donations made by some nominees have received scrutiny. | In recent years, political donations made by some nominees have received scrutiny. |
| What is the House of Lords and how to people become members? | What is the House of Lords and how to people become members? |
| Can you turn down an honour? | Can you turn down an honour? |
| When somebody is approved for an honour, they are sent a letter asking if they will accept it. | When somebody is approved for an honour, they are sent a letter asking if they will accept it. |
| A list of 277 people who turned down honours between 1951 and 1999, and subsequently died, was made public following a BBC Freedom of Information request. | A list of 277 people who turned down honours between 1951 and 1999, and subsequently died, was made public following a BBC Freedom of Information request. |
| It included authors Roald Dahl, JG Ballard and Aldous Huxley, and the painters Francis Bacon, Lucien Freud and LS Lowry. | It included authors Roald Dahl, JG Ballard and Aldous Huxley, and the painters Francis Bacon, Lucien Freud and LS Lowry. |
| Benjamin Zephaniah said it would be "hypocritical" to accept an honour including the world "Empire" | Benjamin Zephaniah said it would be "hypocritical" to accept an honour including the world "Empire" |
| The poet Benjamin Zephaniah rejected an OBE in 2003 because of the association with the British Empire and its history of slavery. | The poet Benjamin Zephaniah rejected an OBE in 2003 because of the association with the British Empire and its history of slavery. |
| Others reported to have turned down an honour include David Bowie, Nigella Lawson, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders. | Others reported to have turned down an honour include David Bowie, Nigella Lawson, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders. |
| No Sir! Who's turned down an honour? | No Sir! Who's turned down an honour? |
| Can an honour be removed? | |
| Some people have had their honours withdrawn by the Honours Forfeiture Committee. | Some people have had their honours withdrawn by the Honours Forfeiture Committee. |
| They include Rolf Harris, who went to prison for indecent assault, and Anthony Blunt, the former art adviser to the Queen who turned out to be a Soviet spy. | |
| PM Rishi Sunak said he would support calls for the Honours Forfeiture Committee to consider withdrawing Ms Vennells' CBE | |
| Former Post Office boss Paula Vennells said she would hand back her CBE after facing mounting pressure over the Horizon IT scandal. | |
| More than a million people signed a petition calling for Ms Vennells to be stripped of her award, which she received in 2019 for services to the Post Office and charity. | |
| How and when do people receive their honours? | How and when do people receive their honours? |
| Honours are typically awarded by the King, Prince of Wales or Princess Royal, at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle or the Palace of Holyroodhouse. | Honours are typically awarded by the King, Prince of Wales or Princess Royal, at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle or the Palace of Holyroodhouse. |
| Recipients can select their investiture's date and location, but not which royal presides over the ceremony. | |
| The King awarded Sergio and Emma Petrucci MBEs for services to health and the community, at Buckingham Palace | The King awarded Sergio and Emma Petrucci MBEs for services to health and the community, at Buckingham Palace |
| British Empire Medals are presented locally by lord-lieutenants, who represent the King. Recipients are also invited to attend a royal garden party. | British Empire Medals are presented locally by lord-lieutenants, who represent the King. Recipients are also invited to attend a royal garden party. |
| What does the King do? | What does the King do? |
| What types of honours are there? | What types of honours are there? |
| Knights and Dames | Knights and Dames |
| The honour of knighthood comes from the days of medieval chivalry, as does the method used to confer the knighthood - the accolade, or the touch of a sword by the sovereign. | The honour of knighthood comes from the days of medieval chivalry, as does the method used to confer the knighthood - the accolade, or the touch of a sword by the sovereign. |
| A knight is styled "Sir" and their wives "Lady". | A knight is styled "Sir" and their wives "Lady". |
| Women receiving the honour are styled "Dame" but do not receive the accolade. | Women receiving the honour are styled "Dame" but do not receive the accolade. |
| The honour is given for a pre-eminent contribution in any field of activity. | The honour is given for a pre-eminent contribution in any field of activity. |
| The rank of Knight Commander (KBE) or Dame Commander (DBE), Order of the British Empire, appears on the Diplomatic Service and Overseas list. | The rank of Knight Commander (KBE) or Dame Commander (DBE), Order of the British Empire, appears on the Diplomatic Service and Overseas list. |
| The Order of the Bath | The Order of the Bath |
| The Order of the Bath is an order of chivalry and was founded in 1725 for service of the highest calibre. | The Order of the Bath is an order of chivalry and was founded in 1725 for service of the highest calibre. |
| It has a civil and military division and is awarded in the following ranks: Knight Grand Cross (GCB), Knight Commander (KCB) and Companion (CB). | It has a civil and military division and is awarded in the following ranks: Knight Grand Cross (GCB), Knight Commander (KCB) and Companion (CB). |
| The Order takes its name from the symbolic bathing, which, in former times, was often part of the preparation of a candidate for knighthood. | The Order takes its name from the symbolic bathing, which, in former times, was often part of the preparation of a candidate for knighthood. |
| Order of St Michael and St George | Order of St Michael and St George |
| This Order was founded by King George III in 1818 and is awarded to British subjects who have rendered extraordinary and important services abroad or in the Commonwealth. | This Order was founded by King George III in 1818 and is awarded to British subjects who have rendered extraordinary and important services abroad or in the Commonwealth. |
| Ranks in the Order are Knight or Dame Grand Cross (GCMG), Knight or Dame Commander (KCMG or DCMG) and Companion (CMG). | Ranks in the Order are Knight or Dame Grand Cross (GCMG), Knight or Dame Commander (KCMG or DCMG) and Companion (CMG). |
| Order of the Companions of Honour | Order of the Companions of Honour |
| This is awarded for service of conspicuous national importance and is limited to 65 people. Recipients are entitled to put the initials CH after their name. | This is awarded for service of conspicuous national importance and is limited to 65 people. Recipients are entitled to put the initials CH after their name. |
| Orders of the British Empire | Orders of the British Empire |
| King George V created these honours during World War One to reward services to the war effort by civilians at home and service personnel in support positions. | King George V created these honours during World War One to reward services to the war effort by civilians at home and service personnel in support positions. |
| The ranks are Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE), and Member (MBE). | The ranks are Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE), and Member (MBE). |
| They are now awarded for prominent national or regional roles and to those making distinguished or notable contributions in their own specific areas of activity. | They are now awarded for prominent national or regional roles and to those making distinguished or notable contributions in their own specific areas of activity. |
| British Empire Medal (BEM) | British Empire Medal (BEM) |
| The medal was founded in 1917 and was awarded for "meritorious" actions by civilians or military personnel, although the recipients did not attend a royal investiture. | The medal was founded in 1917 and was awarded for "meritorious" actions by civilians or military personnel, although the recipients did not attend a royal investiture. |
| Scrapped in 1993 by Conservative Prime Minister John Major, the BEM was revived in 2012. | Scrapped in 1993 by Conservative Prime Minister John Major, the BEM was revived in 2012. |
| Royal Victorian Order | Royal Victorian Order |
| By 1896, prime ministers and governments had increased their influence over the distribution of awards and had gained almost total control of the system. Therefore, Queen Victoria instituted The Royal Victorian Order as a personal award for services performed on behalf of the Royal Family. | By 1896, prime ministers and governments had increased their influence over the distribution of awards and had gained almost total control of the system. Therefore, Queen Victoria instituted The Royal Victorian Order as a personal award for services performed on behalf of the Royal Family. |
| The ranks are Knight or Dame Grand Cross (GCVO), Knight or Dame Commander (KCVO or DCVO), Commander (CVO), Lieutenant (LVO) and Member (MVO). | The ranks are Knight or Dame Grand Cross (GCVO), Knight or Dame Commander (KCVO or DCVO), Commander (CVO), Lieutenant (LVO) and Member (MVO). |
| Royal Victorian Medal | Royal Victorian Medal |
| Associated with the Royal Victorian Order is the Royal Victorian Medal which has three grades: gold, silver and bronze. The circular medal is attached to the ribbon of the Order. | Associated with the Royal Victorian Order is the Royal Victorian Medal which has three grades: gold, silver and bronze. The circular medal is attached to the ribbon of the Order. |
| Royal Red Cross | Royal Red Cross |
| Founded in 1883 by Queen Victoria, the award is confined to the nursing services. Those awarded the first class are designated "Members" (RRC): those awarded the Second Class are designated "Associates" (ARRC). | Founded in 1883 by Queen Victoria, the award is confined to the nursing services. Those awarded the first class are designated "Members" (RRC): those awarded the Second Class are designated "Associates" (ARRC). |
| King's Police Medal | King's Police Medal |
| Awarded for distinguished service in the police force. | Awarded for distinguished service in the police force. |
| King's Fire Service Medal | King's Fire Service Medal |
| Given to firefighters who have displayed conspicuous devotion to duty. | Given to firefighters who have displayed conspicuous devotion to duty. |
| King's Ambulance Service Medal | King's Ambulance Service Medal |
| Awarded for distinguished service in the ambulance service. | Awarded for distinguished service in the ambulance service. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| King's Birthday Honours | King's Birthday Honours |
| UK Royal Family | UK Royal Family |
| PM's resignation honours | PM's resignation honours |
| New Year Honours | New Year Honours |
| King Charles III | King Charles III |