The Honours Lists are an integral part of British society, recognising individuals for their contributions to various fields and celebrating their achievements. The Honours system has been in place for over a century, and its origins can be traced back to medieval times. In this blog post, we will explore the Honours Lists and what they entail.
What are the Honours Lists?
The Honours Lists are a series of lists that are published twice a year, on the King’s Birthday and at New Year. These lists recognise individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, including arts, business, charity work, public service, and sports, among others. The Honours Lists are a way for the British government to recognise and celebrate the achievements of individuals who have made a significant contribution to society, and to inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
Who is eligible for an Honour?
Anyone can be nominated for an Honour, regardless of their social background, ethnicity, or religion. The Honours system is designed to recognise individuals from all walks of life who have made a significant contribution to society, whether through their work, charitable efforts, or community service.
The Honours system operates on a merit-based approach, meaning that nominations are evaluated on the basis of the individual’s contribution to society rather than their social status or connections. Nominations can be made by anyone, and the process is straightforward. Nominees must have made a significant, sustained, and tangible contribution to their area of work, community, or society as a whole, and this contribution must have a positive impact on others.
What types of Honours are there?
There are several types of Honours that can be awarded to individuals, ranging from the Order of Merit to the British Empire Medal. The most prestigious Honours are those that confer a title, such as Knighthood and Damehood.
The Order of Merit is the most exclusive honour, and only 24 individuals can hold it at any one time. This honour is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the arts, science, education, or public service.
Knighthood and Damehood are titles bestowed upon individuals by the monarch in recognition of their distinguished service to their country or outstanding personal achievements. A Knighthood is a title conferred upon men, while a Damehood is a title conferred upon women.
The most common Honours are the British Empire Medal (BEM), Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), and Knight or Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE or DBE). These Honours recognise individuals who have made significant contributions to their field, community, or society as a whole.
What is the process of awarding an Honour?
The process of awarding an Honour begins with a nomination. Anyone can nominate an individual for an Honour, and the nomination process is straightforward. The nominee must have made a significant, sustained, and tangible contribution to their area of work, community, or society as a whole, and this contribution must have a positive impact on others.
The nomination is then considered by the Honours and Appointments Secretariat, which evaluates the nomination and makes a recommendation to the Prime Minister’s office. The Prime Minister’s office considers the recommendation and makes a final decision on whether to award the Honour.
Once an Honour is awarded, the recipient is notified, and the Honour is publicly announced on the Honours Lists. The recipient is then invited to attend an investiture ceremony, where they receive their Honour from a member of the Royal Family.
The Honours Lists are a way for the British government to recognise and celebrate the achievements of individuals who have made a significant contribution to society. The Honours system operates on a merit-based approach, meaning that nominations are evaluated on the basis of the individual’s contribution to society rather than their social status or connections. There are several types of Honours that can be awarded, ranging from the Order of Merit to the British Empire Medal, and each Honour recognises the contributions of individuals from various fields.
The Honours Lists are an integral part of British society and celebrate the achievements of individuals from all walks of life. They serve as a way to inspire others to follow in their footsteps and recognise the importance of making a positive impact on society. The Honours system is a testament to the values of honour, courage, and service that are deeply ingrained in British society, and it will continue to recognise and celebrate the achievements of individuals for many years to come.
If you would like help crafting your own Honours nomination and hopefully find your way onto an Honours list in future, you can contact us for a no-obligation assessment.