New Year’s Honours List 2019 – all the people rewarded for services to Britain
THE Queen’s Birthday Honours list for 2019 has some of Britain’s top names recognised for their services to the country.
The tradition dates back to 1860 when Queen Victoria gave out her first Birthday Honours. We reveal who made it on this year’s most coveted roll call.
What is the Birthday Honours list and who is on it this year?
The Monarch has been handing out honours and recognition since the time of Queen Victoria.
Honours are handed out twice a year – once at New Year and again to mark the Queen’s birthday.
Among those being recognised this year are:
- Monty Python star Michael Palin - knighthood
- Fashion icon Twiggy - damehood
- Footballer Harry Kane - MBE
- England manager Gareth Southgate - OBE
- Author Philip Pullman - knighthood
- Filmmaker Christopher Nolan - CBE
- Former England cricket captain Alastair Cook - knighthood
- Ex-England rugby skipper Bill Beaumont - knighthood
- Hollywood star Thandie Newton - OBE
- Welsh Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas - promoted from MBE to OBE
- World War veteran Robert Lingwood - BEM
- Downton Abbey’s Jim Carter - OBE
- TV presenter and naturalist Chris Packham - CBE
- John Clough, who campaigned against domestic violence after his daughter Jane was murdered by her ex-boyfriend - MBE
- Stagecoach co-founder Ann Gloag - damehood
- Former CEO of Virgin Money Jayne-Anne Gadhia - damehood
- Campaigner Claire Turnham - MBE
- Scots rugby hero and charity campaigner Doddie Weir - OBE
- Former footballer Leroy Rosenior - MBE
- English netball player Geva Mentor - CBE
- British divers Richard Stanton and John Volanthen - George Medal for their work saving a stranded Thai boys football team
- Fellow divers Christopher Jewell and Jason Mallinson also receive the Queen’s Gallantry Medal
- Actress Sophie Okonedo - CBE
- Conservative MP John Redwood - knighthood
- Labour MP Alan Campbell - knighthood
What are the awards handed out?
There are a number of different categories of awards given out, each recognising a particular service to the Queen and country.
These are:
- Companion of Honour – for major contributions to the arts, science, medicine, or government
- Knights/Dames – for major contributions in any activity, usually at national level
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) – for prominent but lesser roles at a national level, or a leading role at regional level
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) – for major roles in any activity
- Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) –for outstanding achievements or services to the community
- British Empire Medal (BEM) – for ‘hands-on’ services to the local community
- Overseas Territories Police and Fire Service Medals
- Royal Victorian Order (RVO) – usually awarded to people who have helped the Queen personally
- The George Cross – a first level civilian medal for bravery
- The George Medal – a second level civilian medal for bravery
- The Queen’s Gallantry Medal – a third level civilian medal for bravery
- The Queen’s Commendation for Bravery and The Queen’s Commendation for Bravery in the Air – awarded for risk to life
Why are people awarded honours?
The system recognises ordinary people and celebs who have made achievements in public life or committed themselves to serving and helping Britain.
They’ll usually have made life better for other people or be outstanding at what they do.
If someone is being given a civilian gallantry award, it means they have attempted to or saved the life of a British citizen who isn’t a family member or close friend.
What are the honours judged on?
Nominations are judged on:
- degree of risk
- how aware the nominee was of the danger
- persistence
People are also given honours for achievements such as:
- making a difference to their community or field of work
- enhancing Britain’s reputation
- long-term voluntary service
- innovation and entrepreneurship
- changing things, with an emphasis on achievement
- improving life for people less able to help themselves
- displaying moral courage
The fields in which people can be given honours are:
- community, voluntary and local services
- arts and media
- health
- sport
- education
- science and technology
- business and the economy
- civil or political service
How do you get nominated for an honour?
Anyone can nominate someone for an honour on the .
However, the person being nominated must be actively involved in what you are nominating them for.
Once someone is nominated, the honours committee will review the person and check they are suitable for receiving an award.
This may include checks by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Reviews are carried out by various government departments.
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When is the Queen’s birthday?
The monarch has two birthdays in the UK – their actual one and an official one.
The two-birthday tradition was started by George II in 1748, was born in November, and felt the weather would be too cold at that time of year for his annual birthday parade.
Instead, he combined his birthday celebration with an annual spring military parade known as Trooping the Colour, in which regiments displayed their flags or "colours.
While Queen Elizabeth II’s actual birthday is in April, she has chosen to continue this tradition and has a ‘second’ birthday in June, which is when she hands out honours.
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