What is a King’s Honour?
A King’s Honour is an award for individuals and businesses who have made an impact in their communities, the country and/or the world. They are given to people or groups who are dedicated to making the lives of others better or for those at the top of their profession. These awards are announced bi-annually during the New Year’s Honours List and on The Queen’s official birthday. The full lists are published in the London Gazette for public viewing. There is a range of honours available including OBE, MBE and CBE. What honour one receives is determined by the scope and focus of their impactful works. Some honours are tailored more specifically to groups, professions or charities respectively.
What is a Knighthood?
A knighthood is awarded by the King to anyone deemed to have reached excellence in an activity. When men receive the award, they add the prefix ‘Sir’ to their name. And women who receive it add the prefix ‘Dame’ to their name. Knighthoods are commonly awarded to professionals in the arts, medicine, science, politics and more; anyone at the top of their field. There is some discussion on adding a non-binary honorific to his category. The list of people up for a knighthood are published in the London Gazette when the Honours lists are announced bi-annually.
What is a Sir?
A Sir is the male variant of the knighthood award. Women who receive this award add ‘Dame’ before their name instead. The King awards Knighthoods for outstanding achievement in a profession. So, men who receive this award add ‘Sir’ before their name.
What is a Dame?
A Dame is the female variant of a knighthood. Men who receive a knighthood add ‘Sir’ before their name. It’s awarded by the King for outstanding achievement in any activity. Women who receive this award add ‘Dame’ before their name.
What is an OBE?
An OBE is a middle-ranking award between CBE as the highest and MBE as the lowest within the Order of the British Empire. This rank stands for Officer and is awarded by the King for anyone who is impactful within a profession or charitable field. This rank allows one to use the suffix OBE after their name.
What is an MBE?
An MBE is lowest-ranked within the Order of the British Empire and it stands for Member. It’s awarded to those who are making a positive impact in their community, nation or the world. And it’s awarded by the King. OBE is higher than MBE and CBE is the highest award. This rank allows one to use the suffix MBE after their name.
What is a CBE?
A Commander rank within the Order of the British Empire; this is the highest award one can receive within the Order. It’s given to those who are making a positive impact within the world through their work. A CBE is awarded by the King. This rank allows one to use the suffix CBE after their name.
What is the difference between OBE, MBE and CBE?
The difference between OBE, MBE and CBE is the scale of impact and the rank within the Order of the British Empire that the awardee receives. CBE is the highest. This is followed by OBE and then MBE as the lowest. These ranks allow one to use the suffix OBE, MBE or CBE after their name, depending on which rank is achieved.
What is a Companion of Honour?
A Companion of Honour is a standalone award limited to 65 people per year. It’s awarded by the Queen to lifetime achievers in science, the arts, medicine or the government. Those who receive it can use the suffix CH after their name.
What is a BEM?
Once a retired award, this revived medal is short for the British Empire Medal. It was brought back by PM David Cameron. And it is awarded for actions of merit by military or civilians. Around 300 community volunteers get this award each year.
What are the King’s Awards for groups?
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is given to charitable and community service organisations of 3 or more people within the country. And businesses can be nominated for The King’s Awards for Enterprise. This award recognises excellence in international trade, innovation, sustainability and opportunities with social mobility. Neither of these awards confers any titles, but they do offer some marketing-related benefits.
What is the King’s Honours List?
The King’s Honours List is a publication that comes out 2 times per year. It is released on the King’s Official birthday and for New Year’s Day. The list details the names of people and organisations who have been awarded for their service to the Empire and the globe. It states what award they are to receive and under what category their achievement qualifies. These lists are also published in the London Gazette.
What is the New Years Honours List?
On New Year’s Day, one of the two King’s Honours Lists for the year are published. These include the names and achievements of people receiving an OBE, MBE, CBE, Knighthood and more. The other list is published on the Queen’s official birthday. The full list is available via the London Gazette.
What is the Birthday Honours List?
On the second Saturday of June, the King’s official birthday is celebrated. And on this day, the second of the two King’s honours lists are published. It details the nominations for CBE, OBE, MBE, CH and Knighthood among other awards. The other list is published on New Year’s Day. This complete list is also available via the London Gazette.
What are other honours?
The Order of the Garter, The Order of the Thistle, the Order of St Patrick, the Order of Merit, the Order of the Bath, the Order of St Michael and St George, the Royal Victorian Order, the Commonwealth Honours and various other Military Awards and Civilian Awards are available. But these are more limited in number and often don’t have a formal application process. Any public-facing awards are published in the London Gazette.