The honours system - GOV.UK GOV.UK 4. Types of honours and awards You can’t nominate someone for a specific honour - that’s decided by the honours committee. Companion of Honour This is awarded for having a major contribution to the arts, science, medicine, or government lasting over a long period of time. Knight/Dame This is awarded for having a major contribution in any activity, usually at national level. Other people working in the nominee’s area will see their contribution as inspirational and significant, requiring commitment over a long period of time. Commander of the Order of the British Empire ( CBE ) This is awarded for having a prominent but lesser role at national level, or a leading role at regional level. You can also get one for a distinguished, innovative contribution to any area. Officer of the Order of the British Empire ( OBE ) This is awarded for having a major local role in any activity, including people whose work has made them known nationally in their chosen area. Member of the Order of the British Empire ( MBE ) Awarded for an outstanding achievement or service to the community. This will have had a long-term, significant impact and stand out as an example to others.

British Empire Medal ( BEM ) Awarded for a ‘hands-on’ service to the local community. This could be a long-term charitable or voluntary activity, or innovative work of a relatively short duration (3 to 4 years) that has made a significant difference. Overseas Territories Police and Fire Service Medals Given for service in British Overseas Territories. Royal Victorian Order (RVO) An award given by the Queen - usually to people who have helped her personally, like members of the Royal household staff or British ambassadors. The George Cross First level civilian medal for bravery: for acts of heroism and courage in extreme danger. The George Medal Second level civilian medal for bravery: for acts of great bravery. The Queen’s Gallantry Medal Third level civilian medal for bravery: for inspiring acts of bravery. The Queen’s Commendation for Bravery and The Queen’s Commendation for Bravery in the Air For risk to life. The orders The committee decides which order someone should be a member of. You don’t have to specify this in your nomination. Order Guide to the Honours - BBC News BBC News British honours are awarded on merit, for exceptional achievement or service.

The UK honours system is overseen by the Cabinet Office Honours and Appointments Secretariat. The Foreign Office has responsibility for the Diplomatic Service and Overseas List which recognises service overseas, or service in the UK with a substantial international component. UK nationals or citizens from the 15 Commonwealth realms such as Australia, Canada and Jamaica can be nominated for an honour. Honorary awards for foreign nationals are recommended by the foreign secretary. Orders for chivalry are made after a personal decision by the Queen. The honours list consists of knights and dames, appointments to the Order of the British Empire and gallantry awards to servicemen and women, and civilians. Nominations, submitted either by government departments or by members of the public, are divided into subject areas and assessed by committees comprising independent experts and senior civil servants. Their assessments are passed to a selection committee that produces the list, independently of government, that is submitted to the Queen through the prime minister. The Queen informally approves the list and letters are sent to each nominee. Once a nominee accepts the proposed honour, the list is formally approved.

The honours are published in the official Crown newspaper, the London Gazette, twice a year - at New Year, and in mid-June on the date of the Queen's official birthday. The Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood at St James's Palace then arranges investitures for the recipients to be presented with their medals by the Queen or other members of the Royal Family. Image copyright PA Image caption CBE, OBE and MBE medals Private nominations, made by individuals or by representatives of organisations to the Cabinet Office, traditionally make up about a quarter of all recommendations. Political honours The honours list does not cover peerages. Starting in May 2000, peers nominated by political parties have been vetted by the House of Lords Appointments Commission. The commission is involved in making recommendations for non-party affiliated peerages. An outgoing prime minister also has the right to draw up a dissolution or resignation honours list on leaving office, which is then submitted to the Cabinet Office for approval. In recent years, however, political donations made by a number of recipients have become the subject of media scrutiny.

In a November 2011 response to a parliamentary committee's inquiry into the honours system, the Cabinet Office noted that all candidates for senior awards are "checked against the lists of donations maintained and made public by the Electoral Commission. "The Main Honours Committee must satisfy itself that a party political donation has not influenced the decision to award an honour in any way; the committee must be confident that the candidate would have been a meritorious recipient of an honour if he or she had not made a political donation." A Parliamentary and Political Services Committee comprising a majority of independent members and the chief whips of the three major parties was set up in 2012 to considers honours for politicians and for political service. Image copyright PA Image caption The Queen presented Bill Gates with his honorary knighthood in 2005 Image copyright PA Image caption The Duke of Cambridge is among the members of the Royal Family to have hosted an investiture But in the same year the Commons Public Administration committee urged the government to review the way the whole honours system is administered.

It called on ministers to set up independent bodies to nominate recipients for awards and decide when they should be withdrawn, suggesting the government's "lack of willingness to clarify and open up the process" was damaging public confidence. Honours have sometimes been forfeited. The Honours Forfeiture Committee considers cases where a recipient's actions "raise the question of whether they should be allowed to continue to be a holder of the honour". The Queen's art adviser Anthony Blunt, stripped of his knighthood in 1979 after being revealed as a Soviet spy, and jockey Lester Piggott, who lost his OBE after he was jailed in 1987 for tax fraud, are among those to have had honours annulled. In 2012, former Royal Bank of Scotland boss Fred Goodwin - heavily criticised over his role in the bank's near-collapse in 2008 - had his knighthood removed, while entertainer Rolf Harris was stripped of a CBE in March 2015, following his conviction for indecent assault.

Meanwhile, a list of 277 people who had turned down honours between 1951 and 1999, and who had since died, was made public by the Cabinet Office following a BBC Freedom of Information request. The list included the authors Roald Dahl, J G Ballard and Aldous Huxley, and the painters Francis Bacon, Lucien Freud and LS Lowry. Types of honours 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. Although Knights Bachelor do not comprise an order of chivalry, knighthood is a dignity which has its origins in Britain in Saxon times. They are styled "Sir" (except for clergymen who do not receive the accolade) and their wives "Lady". Women receiving the honour are styled "Dame" but do not receive the accolade. The honour is given for 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, commonly appears on the Diplomatic Service and Overseas list. It can be given to Britons based abroad or in an honorary capacity to foreign nationals. 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 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. 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. 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 Honour This is awarded for service of conspicuous national importance and is limited to 65 people.

Recipients wear the initials CH after their name. Orders of the British Empire King George V created these honours during World War I to reward services to the war effort by civilians at home and servicemen in support positions. 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. The honour of an MBE, in particular, can be given for achievement or service in the community. British Empire Medal 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. It was scrapped in 1993 by former Conservative Prime Minister John Major, as part of his drive towards a "classless" society. Nearly two decades on, Prime Minister David Cameron has announced its revival, and from 2012, to coincide with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, about 300 will be awarded annually to community volunteers.

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 her behalf. Today this honour is still awarded in recognition of services to 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). 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. More than one grade may be held by the same person and the medal may be worn along with the insignia of the Order itself. 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). It is said that the suggestion for the founding of this decoration was made to Queen Victoria by Florence Nightingale.

What is the highest honor, MBE or OBE? | Reference.com What is the highest honor, MBE or OBE? A: Quick Answer In the classification of the Order of the British Empire, OBE is a higher honor than MBE. OBE stands for Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, whereas MBE stands for Member of the Most Excellent Order. Full Answer An OBE is awarded to individuals who have an important local role in various types of activities, especially to those who are known nationally for their contributions. An MBE is usually awarded for those who perform outstanding services to their community and stand out as examples for others. The Order of the British Empire is the most junior order of chivalry and has five classes, which also include GBE, KBE or DBE and CBE. The British Honours System _____________ THE BRITISH HONOURS SYSTEM. Text in green is for the benefit of overseas readers who may not understand aspects of the article. HONOURS, AWARDS & MEDALS A brief outline of the titles, honours and distinctions which may be awarded to citizens. This article does not include military awards or the hereditary peerage. It is not a comprehensive guide.

The Royal family and the British Honours system are the root causes of the English class system. Both concepts evolved from the mists of our ancient history and should therefore not be discarded or amended without a very great deal of thought. Many people consider both to be stabilising features of our national life. Many other people consider them hopelessly outdated and very divisive. Many other people never give the subject any consideration. The Churchill Society believe reform should be considered. Choosing Recipients British honours are thought by the public to be awarded on merit, and on the basis of exceptional achievement or service. Alas this is not always the case. *(See the LINK re this statement at the bottom of this page). The Queen chooses the recipients of honours on the advice of the Prime Minister and other relevant ministers, to whom recommendations are made by their departments or members of the public. Private nominations - those made by individuals or by representatives of organisations to the Prime Minister's Office - account for about a quarter of all recommendations. Honorary awards to foreigners are recommended by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

Certain of the orders of chivalry are conferred on the sole personal decision of the Sovereign ie, the Order of the Garter, the Order of the Thistle, the Order of Merit and the Royal Victorian Order. In 1993 Prime Minister John Major ended the automatic practice of conferring awards on the holders of certain posts, opening the honours system to more individuals, particularly those in the voluntary sector, who qualify on merit. *(See the LINK re this statement at the bottom of this page). Investiture Most honours are awarded on the Queen's in early June, and at the New Year. Following the publication of the Honours List, investitures are held at which recipients of honours (other than life peers) receive, usually from the Queen, the insignia of the honour (robes, badges, ribbons, etc). Knights receive the accolade (see below). Knights and Dames may adopt the prefix 'Sir' or 'Dame' from the date of the official announcement of the honour. Life Peers Life peerage are the only form of peerage regularly created by the Sovereign these days.

All life peers hold the rank of baron, and sit in the House of Lords on conferment of the peerage. These titles exist only during their own lifetime and are not passed to their heirs. As of July 1995 there were 398 life peers, including 65 women. Baronetcies Like knights, baronets are styled 'Sir', and their wives 'Lady', but, unlike a knighthood, this is a heritable honour. The suffix 'Baronet', usually abbreviated to 'Bt', is also added to the name. One of the very few recent creations is Sir Denis Thatcher, Bt, husband of Baroness Thatcher. Knighthoods The honour of knighthood derives from the usages of mediaeval chivalry, as does the method normally used to confer the knighthood: the accolade, or the touch of a sword by the Sovereign. Although Knights Bachelor do not comprise an order of chivalry, knighthood is a dignity which has its origin in Britain in Saxon times. Knighted members of the orders of chivalry (outlined below) place initials after their names denoting the class of the order received.

(Note that not all recipients of orders are necessarily Knights or Dames but only those denoted as such, usually the first or second classes of orders.) All knighted men, including Knights Bachelor, are styled 'Sir' (except clergymen, who do not receive the accolade) and their wives 'Lady'. Women receiving the honour are styled 'Dame' but do not receive the accolade. Orders of Chivalry The principal orders are listed as follows in order of precedence, noting initials to be placed after the name. THE GARTER Breast Badge The Most Noble Order of the Garter (1348). The Queen is Sovereign of the Order. Five members of the royal family are Ladies of the Order or Royal Knights, and there are 24 Knights and Lady Companions including 3 ex-Prime Ministers. Six foreign monarchs are at present Extra Knights Companions and Ladies. Initials KG or LG. Medal Breast Badge The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle (revived 1687). The Queen is Sovereign of the Order and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Lady of the Thistle. There are two Royal Knights and 16 Knights. Initial KT.

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (1725) is awarded in recognition of conspicuous services to the Crown and has two divisions, Military Insignia of the ROYAL VICTORIAN ORDER. The Royal Victorian Order (1896) is awarded in recognition of services to the royal family. Ranks are Knight or Dame Grand Cross (GCVO), Knight or Dame Commander (KCVO or DCVO), Commander (CVO), Lieutenant (LVO) and Member (MVO). The Royal Victorian Chain (1902) has a current membership of 15, in addition to the Queen and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (1917) is awarded mainly to civilians and service personnel for public service or other distinctions and has a military and a civil division. Ranks in the Order are Knight or Dame Grand Cross (GBE), Knight or Dame Commander (KBE or DBE), Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE) and Member (MBE). The Order of the Companions of Honour (1917) is awarded for service of conspicuous national importance. The Order is limited to 65 people. Initials CH.

The Most Venerable Order of St John of Jerusalem (1888) is usually known as the Order of St John and recognises services rendered to the charitable works of the Order. In addition to being an order of chivalry it is the parent body of a charitable organisation. It is not a State Order and membership does not confer rank or title. Awards to Foreign Nationals Foreign nationals and citizens of Commonwealth countries of which the Queen is not head of state may be admitted to honorary membership of British orders but do not style themselves 'Sir' because they do not receive the accolade. They may, however, place the appropriate letters after their name. Forms of address For further information on the protocol of addressing holders of honours and titles and their spouses, see Whitaker's Almanac. Service Medals CBE | Want To Know How To Get A CBE? Awards List How to get a CBE The CBE is an honour awarded to an individual by the Queen for a leading role at a regional level or a prominent but lesser role at a national level in any activity. The definition of CBE is Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Free CBE Assessment For a free honest assessment of your nominee's chances of success or if you have any questions, contact us today on +44 (0)1444 230130 or email us at enquiries@awardsintelligence.co.uk The Awards Intelligence service Our Queen’s honours support service is renowned the world-over as a highly professional package helping families, organisations and individuals to make nominations for awards. The level of work that goes into an Awards Intelligence Queen’s honour nomination makes sure that it stands out from the crowd and gives the nominee the very best chance of being selected for an award in the Queen’s Honours List. On average our consultants spend at least 150 hours researching and drafting every award nomination. So our service will save you valuable time and significantly increase your chances of success. The average success rate is estimated to be just 10%. Our success rate is over 50%. Before we start a nomination we always ensure the candidate meets all the necessary criteria for a Queen’s honour nomination, offering a free assessment service to all.

Call us today on 01444 230130 if you would like to find out if your nominee is in with a chance of getting a Queen’s honour for their achievements. Who can get a CBE? As long as they meet the Queen’s honour criteria, anyone can be nominated to receive a CBE. A CBE medal is presented for all types of different achievement, but in general the person nominated will have had a prominent role either nationally or in their region. When you make a recommendation for an award you are not asked to specify the name of the honour, such as CBE. The level of honour awarded will be decided by the committees who look at all the evidence of that person’s work in the nomination. Examples of individuals with an CBE include: Nigel Charles Annett. Managing director, Welsh Water. Under his leadership the company was transformed into one of the best in the sector and Nigel received a CBE for his services to the Water Industry in Wales and voluntary service to Wateraid. Barry Dodd. Since receiving his OBE in 2006, Barry has accomplished many notable achievements.

In recognition of his work, his CBE has been awarded for services to the Yorkshire Economy and voluntary service to the community. Ms Rita Ann Clifton. Known as one of the world’s leading experts on branding, Rita has helped businesses small and large to achieve their goals. She has been recognized for her success with a CBE for services to the Advertising Industry. How do I nominate someone for a CBE? To make a nomination for a CBE you need to tell the Honours Committee all the details of a nominee’s work and achievements. These are presented in a formal nomination document. All nominations must also be accompanied by at least two supporting letters from people of have first hand experience of the nominee’s work and achievements. It is important to remember that honours nominations cannot be resubmitted once they have been considered. At least two years must have passed and the nomination must contain significant differences in achievements from the first if it is to be considered at all. This is a nomination that you need to get right the first time, or your nominee may never receive the recognition they deserve.

Awards Intelligence professionally manages many successful honours nominations every year, providing a comprehensive service to help you make sure that your nominee has the best possible chance of getting the national honour they deserve. How can I get a CBE? You can only be nominated for a CBE by someone who knows about your roles, successes and achievements. You can’t nominate yourself for a CBE. However, making a nomination for an honour is a publicly accesible process, whereby any friend, family member or colleague can put you forward for consideration for an award based on the merit of your achievements. If you want to find out more about making an honours nomination you can simply contact Awards Intelligence for free advice and guidance, and to make sure the nomination has everything it needs to make it all the way to the Honours List. When is the best time to make a CBE nomination? Now! CBE nominations, along with all other Queen’s honours nominations, are reviewed constantly. However, there is a review period of around 12 - 18 months from receipt of your nomination at the Cabinet Office, and the nominee must still be active in their role to get an honour, so don’t delay getting your nominee into the queue for consideration.

Any unexpected development in yours or your nominee’s life can delay you putting their nomination forward and ultimately stop them from receiving the MBE, OBE, CBE or knighthood they deserve for their work. So it is important to act sooner rather than later! If the person you want to nominate is likely to retire in the next few yaers, contact us now to get your nomination started or they could lose their opportunity to receive an award from The Queen. If your nominee is likely to continue to have more achievements to add to their nomination during the 12-18 month waiting period, there is no need to wait for these to complete, you can update the nomination by informing the Cabinet Office of these at a later date. The best way forward is to get your CBE nomination in the queue as soon as possible. Who judges CBE nominations? There are nine different honours committees chosen to judge nominations for specific types of work and achievement, for example Education, Community, Economy etc. There is also a main Honours Committee who review all types of honours nominations.

The committees are made up of independent experts as well as senior civil servants, and it is these individuals who will decide together whether a person should receive an MBE, OBE, CBE, knighthood or damehood, based on the details in the nomination and supporting letters. Honours committees cannot be influenced in any way other than through the information provided in a compelling nomination along with relevant letters of support. So let us help you get your nominee the recognition they deserve by providing a comprehensive nomination for the committees to consider for the next Queen's Honours List. What does a nomination for a CBE look like? A CBE nomination should be presented in a way that accurately and persuasively informs the honours committees about the roles, contributions and achievements of the nominee. An Awards Intelligence nomination involves gathering a wide range of evidence and first-hand appraisals of how the nominee has excelled in their chosen field, how they have positively impacted upon society and why their achievements are worthy of such a prestigious award. Our consultants have the experience and understanding of the honours criteria to ensure your nomination has everything it needs to make it all the way.

We can take care of the whole process for you and we will make sure you are delighted with every aspect of your nomination. Just call us today to get started. What are the benefits of getting a CBE? Many nominees have reported that receiving a CBE in recognition of their work has made a real difference to their work, the causes they support and their lives in general: Receiving a CBE can help the nominee to continue their good work by opening doors and creating the opportunity to gather further support and for their professional, community and charitable work. The CBE award represents a monumental legacy to be enjoyed by the nominee’s family, friends and colleagues A raised personal profile and an enhanced reputation is another benefit enjoyed by many individuals who receive the CBE award. CBE recipients often report that they experience a greater degree of respect, trust and acceptance of their ideas, work and projects, which enables them to do more of the great work they have already achieved. The CBE award can attract new business or personal opportunities that widen the scope of the nominee’s work, roles and commitments. Do I need to live in the UK to get a CBE?

To be nominated for a CBE the nominee must have gone above and beyond the call of duty in either their paid or unpaid roles and benefited others through their achievements, whether these are in the UK or abroad. Honours can be awarded to UK citizens at home or away, and non-UK citizens living in the UK too. So long as the impact is either positively effecting other UK citizens in some way, or a UK citizen is bring distinction to the UK through their work and achievements abroad, they could be recognised with a CBE or other level of honour. Depending on the type of achievement and where this has taken place will depend on the Honours List your nomination is selected for - it can be either the primary Queen's Honours List for the UK or the Foreign Secretary's Overseas List. A CBE nomination can be made for professional achievements, business triumphs, personal expertise, charitable, community or volunteer commitments - in short, anything that demonstrates a positive impact and influence on others. How many people a year receive a CBE? Around one hundred people in total receive a CBE every year!

CBE awards are given out twice a year - in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June and in the New Year’s Honours List on the 1st January. CBE recipients are then invited to attend an investiture ceremony at either Buckingham Palace or one of the Royal households, where they will receive their CBE medal from the Queen or her representative from The Royal Family. You can find out more about the whole process by watching the behind-the-scenes video on our blog . Who has Awards Intelligence helped to get a CBE? We never knowingly divulge who we work with on a Queen's honour nomination, and we will treat your nomination with the same level of respect and confidentiality. However here is an example of the kind of feedback we receive from happy clients: Business contact of a recipient of a CBE said: "Great work. You saved me so much time and I would never have been able to produce a submission that compelling!" Take a look at more testimonials from our happy clients here . Why is there no guarantee of receiving an honour? Using the Awards Intelligence honours nomination service will guarantee that your nomination is of the highest standard and detail, in order to give it the best possible chance of success.

We will not guarantee the receipt of an honour as we do not influence the selection process in any way and have no links to the Cabinet Office, Government or the Honours and Appointments Secretariat. Honours are open to all and are judged by the appropriate committee using a fair and transparent approach. They cannot be bought or lobbied for, no matter who is being nominated. Every nominee is considered for an award based only on the merit of their achievements, not on the merit of who has produced their nomination or who has put it forward. Where can I find out the different levels of Queen’s honour, such as an MBE, CBE or knighthood? Different levels of honours are awarded according to the level of achievement the nominee is considered to have made, as well as on their potential to go on achieving and receive a higher honour in the future. In short the level awarded will be based upon the reach of the nominee's achievements, ie whether this is local, regional, national or international, as well as the breadth of their influence and impact on society. There is more information available on the various types of people that achieve different levels of honour in the following pages: MBE , OBE , KBE and DBE .

Where can I find out more about Queen's honours? We constantly update our blog with stories, news and tips on the subject of Queen's honours. You can find out more about teh type of people recognised with an honour each year, the results of Honours Lists and any special types of nominations the Cabinet Office are encouraging at any one time. There is even a video here to help you understand how the whole Queen's honours process works. Take a look at an investiture ceremony and watch a few famous faces collect their awards here: View Blog Will Awards Intelligence lobby for an honour for an individual? You can be reassured that Awards Intelligence will never lobby for an honour to be awarded to any individual. Our professional service is transparent and objective and bears no relationship to the Cabinet Office or any other government department or committee. We have no influence over awards proceedings or decisions made by the honours committees. The only way in which you can ensure your nomination has the best possible chance of success is to provide an accurate, detailed and compelling presentation of the nominee's achievements that leaves no doubt in the minds of the judges that the honour is well-deserved.

We can help you put your case forward in the most relevant and comprehensive way, just give us a call and we will do all the hard work for you. Will a criminal record effect my nomination? If there is no issue outstanding a criminal record will not prevent a nomination from being considered. There are many examples of individuals who have turned their lives around and gone on to use their experience to help others and been rewarded with an honour as a result. Our blog story explains how one exceptional candidate overcame the hurdles in her life, and a criminal record, to go on to become a great influence on her community and the proud recipient of an MBE. The best thing to do if you are unsure is to give us a call for your free, confidential Queen' honours assessment today. I want to get my nomination in the queue, how do we get started To start your CBE nomination first we need to make sure all of the requirements of the Queen’s honours criteria will be met. The easiest way to do this is to simply call Awards Intelligence on +44 (0)1444 230130 or email enquiries@awardsintelligence.co.uk for your free, informal, confidential Queen’s honours assessment.

A guide to the Order of the British Empire – Royal Central Just what does Prince Charles think about becoming King? Two times a year (at The Queen’s Official Birthday and on New Year’s Day), lists of those set to receive honours from The Queen are published by the Government. The most common order which those being honoured are admitted to is the Order of the British Empire, instituted by George V in 1917 as a way of marking civilian achievement. The Order of the British Empire has 6 ranks, 2 of which entitle the holder to put ‘Sir’ or ‘Dame’ in front of their name. Ranks MBE – Member of the Order of the British Empire, is the first rank of the order and is the one which most are admitted to. It allows the holder to put the letters MBE after their name, for example Mr John Smith MBE. OBE – Officer of the Order of the British Empire, is the second rank of the order and is the one that those who have performed very worthy service are admitted to. The holder uses the letters OBE after their name, for example Miss Jane Smith OBE.

CBE – Commander of the Order of the British Empire, is the mid-rank of the order and is generally awarded for outstanding work in an individual’s respective field. The holder uses the letters CBE after their name, for example Mr John Smith CBE. KBE/DBE – Knight/Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, this is the 2nd from highest rank in the order and is awarded usually for long and respected service in an individual’s field. The holder typically will use the title of ‘Sir’ if male in front of their first name and ‘Dame’ if female. KBE is male and DBE is for females. GBE – Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire, this is the top rank in the order and typically only one or two of these are given out a year – they’re extremely rare and are given out for exceptional service. The holder uses the title of Sir (male) or Dame (female). General Notes The wife of a KBE or GBE is entitled to use the title of Lady X where X represents their surname. For example, the wife of Sir John Smith (KBE) would be known as Lady Smith.

The clergy, non-Commonwealth realm citizens and those with existing titles (such as Lord) typically don’t use the title of ‘Sir’ or ‘Dame’ and instead just put the letters after their name, e.g. Lord Smith KBE. It is incorrect to refer to a knight or dame using their surname, for example Sir Smith – Sir John is the correct form. The letters MBE or OBE etc are not a title, but are referred to as ‘post-nominals’. ‘Sir’ and ‘Dame’ are titles. There is a military and civil division of the order, those not affiliated with the military will be admitted to the civil division. Receiving Their Honour An MBE insignia (military). Those who have been selected for an honour will have been notified well in advance of the list being published. During the following 6 months after the list is published, they will attend an investiture at some point at a royal residence where The Queen (or sometimes Prince Charles, Prince William or Princess Anne) will award them their insignia of the order and/or dub them as a knight.

The recipient of the honour can use their new title or letters as soon as they are notified that they have been awarded it, the investiture ceremony is only the formal part when they receive the insignia. Other Benefits of the Order As well as those at the rank of KBE, DBE or GBE being able to use the title Sir/Dame, there are other benefits to being a member of the order. A member can also have a special device added to their coat of arms which shows their membership of the Order of the British Empire. Recipients also get a place in the Order of Precedence, with Knights of the order being just above low-level judges and just below Baronets. Every 4 years, the Order has a religious service – during that Knights and Dames Grand Cross are invested. The last one took place in 2012. Related Items mp My mate has recently been ordained as a reverend by a local minister. he does a lot of charity work motorbiker easter egg runs and toys for the kids home that kind of thing. He has for years.

his ‘followers/supporters/’ have started to propose he is made an MBE ,well to be fair it’s mainly his Hyacinth Bucket sister, brain washing people to propose it on her behalf. As she doesn’t want to do it directly herself. Then the minister who ordained him said you cant have a royal honour as your a clergy, clergy don’t accept royal orders. Well I laughed so much I nearly had a bottie cough in my underwear. So is this correct information? Harry Ohrn Why would there be a specification that clergy do not place the term “Sir” in front of their name but do place the letters behind their name if this wasn’t true? I suspect that the minister who ordained him may have his wires crossed. Or perhaps in their particular sect, due to reasons of humility, their clergy do not accept this type of recognition. paulmk Does a person who has been awarded Order of the British Empire Medallist of the Order of the British Empire put letters after their name in formal communication?

British Royals latest How to get a Knighthood or Damehood | Awards Intelligence Awards List How to get a Knighthood and Damehood A knighthood, and the female equivalent, a damehood, is an award given by The Queen to an individual for a major, long-term, contribution in any activity, usually at a national or international level. It is one of the highest possible honours that can be received by an individual. A man who is made a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) may use the title Sir. A woman who is made a Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (DBE) may use the title Dame. Free KBE/DBE Assessment For a free honest assessment of your nominee's chances of success or if you have any questions, contact us today on +44 (0)1444 230130 or email us at enquiries@awardsintelligence.co.uk The Awards Intelligence Service Using the Awards Intelligence Queen's honours nomination service is the first step towards being considered for a knighthood. Our legendary service has become the most successful across the world and is truly one of a kind.

Save valuable time and significantly increase your chances of success. The average success rate is estimated to be just 10%. Our success rate is over 50%. We are proud to help families, companies and individuals to put their candidates forward for recognition for their incredible achievements. Our fully bespoke nominations encompass everything that is special and outstanding about each nominee. Before we start a nomination we always ensure the candidate meets all the necessary criteria for a Queen's honour nomination, offering a free assessment service to all. Call us today on 01444 230130 if you would like to find out if your nominee is in with a chance of getting a Queen's honour for their achievements. Who can get a knighthood or damehood? Anyone can be nominated to receive a KBE or DBE so long as they meet the Queen's honour criteria for that award. A knighthood or damehood can be presented for all types of different achievement, but usually the person nominated will have made a major contribution to the country at a national or international level; their work and achievements will be viewed as an inspiration to others; and they may have influenced their peers, industry or the nation through their sustained and outstanding commitment to their chosen area.

Often a knighthood or damehood will be awarded as a progression of an individual’s previous recognition with an MBE, OBE or CBE, if they have continued to achieve at a high level since their initial award. When you make a recommendation for an award you are not asked to specify the name of the honour, so there is no need to stipulate that you think they deserve a knighthood or damehood. The level of honour awarded will be decided by the committees who look at all the evidence of that person's work in the nomination. Examples of individuals with a knighthood include: Professor Godfrey Palmer received a knighthood for his innovative and outstanding research into grain science and malt. As Scotland's first black professor, Sir Godfrey is also well-known as a committed human rights activist. Professor Peng Tee Khaw, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon and Professor, Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL, London, received a knighthood for services to Ophthalmology. His research and fundraising is enabling better treatments the world over.

Roger Michael De Haan, CBE, DL, Philanthropist and former Saga boss, has been recognized for his work in regenerating deprived communities, received a knighthood for services to education, the arts and to charity in Kent and Overseas. Examples of individuals with a damehood include: Alison Carnwath has been recognised as role model for women in business, and one of the very few to chair a FTSE 100 company. Dame Alison was conferred following her success running one of the first property companies to restart development following the recession, and is well-known for her stance against bankers' excessive bonuses. Asha Khemka, Principal of West Nottinghamshire College, was made a Dame for services to Further Education. Dame Asha has been principal and chief executive of West Nottinghamshire College since May 2006, and during her time there she has helped to transform the facilities and provision of education. Professor Pamela Shaw, Professor of Neurology at Sheffield University has been recognised for her achievements as a clinical scientist, her research has created a more in-depth understanding of motor neurone disease the world-over. How do I nominate someone to be knighted?

In order to recommend someone for a knighthood or damehood you need to provide the Cabinet Office with all the relevant details of the nominee's achievements. As with a nomination for an MBE, OBE or CBE, you must also provide a minimum of two letters of support with your nomination. These must come from people of have experienced the nominee’s achievements first-hand and able to talk with enthusiasm about their work. Please be aware - you cannot resubmit nominations for Queen's honours year on year until you get the result you want! Once a nomination has been considered it will not be reconsidered until a minimum of two years have passed and then the new nomination must contain something significantly different to the first to even be considered again. If you would like to make a nomination for a knighthood or damehood, or for any other Queen’s honour, Awards Intelligence can assist you with a professionally drafted nomination that details all of the nominee's achievements in a clear, compelling and comprehensive account, backed up by evidence and first-hand appraisals of their work. We have the experience and undertsanding of the Queen's honours criteria to get it right the first time! Can I be nominated for a knighthood?

You can't nominate yourself for a knighthood, but someone who understands your work and achievements can nominate you for the KBE or DBE. If for example a member of your family, someone who works with you, or your partner thinks you could be deserving of such a high level award, they can nominate you for recognition in the Honours List. When making a recommendation for a knighthood or damehood, the nominator will need to provide accurate and up-to-date detailed information about their achievements. This will include details of how they have impacted on society, influenced others, changed life for the better and why their contribution stands out above all others. Awards Intelligence can gather all the details, evidence and documentation the nominator needs to give them the best chance of success, or they can do this themselves if they have the time it takes to do so. When is the best time to make a nomination for a knighthood or damehood? There is no deadline for making a nomination, but the person you are nominating must still be active in their role, and if possible there must still be some time before they retire.

When you submit your nomination for consideration of an award it takes around 12 - 18months for a decision to be made, so if you wait until someone has retired or stepped down from their role it may be too late for them to be considered for an award. If you think your nominee would have a better chance of success once they have finished a particular project, you can simply make the nomination now and supply a letter of update when their project is complete. Don't delay your nomination if your nominee is nearing retirement or it may be too late. Every year many individuals are conferred as either a Knight or Dame by The Queen, and next year your nominee could be one of them with yours and our help. Who decides who will be awarded a KBE or DBE? The Honours and Appointments Secretariat at The Cabinet Office collate nominations as they arrive and refer them to the most relevant of the nine honours committees. Honours committees assess all kinds of achievements made by all sorts of individuals, from entrepreneurs and business men, to educational, legal and health professionals, to high achievers in sports and the arts, as well as community workers and volunteers. Independent experts are selected to join the various committees, joined by senior civil servants.

These individuals undertake further examination of nominations for all levels of Queen's awards, including knighthoods and damehoods, and together they will conclude who deserves which (if any) level of award. The only way to make sure your nominee gets the recognition they deserve is to make a nomination so detailed and compelling that it leaves no doubt in the judges eyes that they are deserving of an award - and we can help you to do just that. Call us today to get your nomination started. What does a KBE or DBE nomination look like? There is no right or wrong way for a nomination to look, every nomination is unique and should accurately reflect the individual it recommends. When examining a nomination the honours committees are looking for evidence that the nominee is deserving of a knighthood or damehood. They are expecting to be informed about the individual roles, contributions and achievements of the nominee in a way that allows them to make an appropriate and informed decision. This includes dates, charitable contributions, professional achievements, voluntary roles, community achievements as well as genuine third party support from individuals who can provide further information about the nominee's achievements.

When Awards Intelligence professionally drafts a nomination for an individual who is being recommended for a knighthood or damehood, we undertake a high level of research in order to confirm all the details of the nominee's achievements, making sure these are in line with the criteria for a Queen’s honour award. Our consultants commit on average around 150 hours to researching, gathering and collating all the information they need to give your nominee the best possible chance of success. Can I use the title Sir or Dame if I get a Queen’s award? Only individuals who have been awarded a knighthood or damehood are entitled to use these titles with their name. If you are awarded an MBE, OBE or CBE you may use these letters after your name. Foreign citizens who are awarded an honorary knighthood or damehood for their services to the UK or to other countries are not entitled to use Sir or Dame, but are often coined with the title by the public - for example "Sir" Bob Geldolf. What are the benefits of receiving a knighthood or damehood? Receiving such a high level award from The Queen is an exceptional time in an individual's life.

This type of recognition is renowned across the world and is a true legacy for that person’s family, friends and colleagues. Just a few of the benefits reported from Knights and Dames include: Raised awareness of their work, ideas and projects. This is often a highly positive outcome of receiving a knighthood or damehood and it can be the recognition they need to open doors and build upon their achievements even further. New opportunities to support their causes. Receiving an honour can be helpful in expanding the scope of the individuals work and creating even more success for others. Trust, acceptance, respect and a raised profile - which can all be used for positive effect locally, nationally and internationally. Do Queen's honours nominees have to live in the UK to get a knighthood or damehood? Honours can be awarded to individuals living all over the world. UK citizens living abroad can be nominated through the Foreign Secretary's Overseas List. The List is made up of awards given to UK citizens and citizens of a Commonwealth country of which HM The Queen is Head of State. Non-UK citizens can be considered for an honour for their work within the UK.

UK citizen's achievements can benefit other UK citizens either at home or in their chosen country abroad, or must bring distinction to the UK in some way. Any individual who is recommended for a knighthood or damehood must be doing inspirational and outstanding work that goes above and beyond that of their peers. The nominee will have achieved results that benefit the community, their peers or society at large in some way, whether at home or abroad. Nominations for KBEs and DBEs are often the result of an exceptional achievement, and may be made in any area; from business and philanthropy to professional work, public service, and sport or the arts. Often individuals are recognised with a knighthood or damehood for their work in more than one area, for example, for their professional role and for their charitable work. What happens when you become a Knight or a Dame? First you will receive a letter inviting you to accept the award - this usually arrives around 6 weeks before an Honours List is announced.

All Queen's honours awards, including Knighthoods (KBE) and Damehoods (DBE), are announced twice a year - in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in June and in the New Year's Honours List on the 1st January. Conferment of a Knight or Dame takes place at an investiture ceremony, which may be held publicly or in private. At the ceremony, the individual will be ceremonially "dubbed" by The Queen, who will lay the sword blade on their right, then left shoulder. Take a look at our blog video to see behind-the-scenes at an investiture ceremony. Who has Awards Intelligence helped to get a knighthood or Damehood? Awards Intelligence will never knowingly divulge which nominations have resulted in a knighthood or damehood. We treat all nominations with the utmost confidentiality and respect. However we are delighted to receive wonderful feedback from our clients, including this testimonial from the wife of a recipient of a knighthood: “Well, I always knew he deserved a knighthood, but I could hardly believe it when he actually got the letter.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you, I could never have achieved this by myself” If you would like to read some feedback we have received from happy clients please have a look at our testimonials page. Where can I find out about other levels of Queen’s honour - the MBE, CBE or knighthood? When you make a nomination it is not necessary to stipulate which level of honour you think the nominee deserves. However it can be helpful to understand the level of award they may be eligible to be considered for: In short, levels tend to be considered according to the spread of the nominee's work and achievements, for example; the BEM and MBE are mainly awarded for local, hands-on achievement; the OBE and CBE tend to be awarded for work and achievements that have had a wider impact on society, for example, influencing a profession, industry, region or nation; and a knighthood or damehood is the highest level of award given for the widest impact, for example an inspirational impact on a profession, industry, country, or charitable cause.

Our page by page guide will help you learn more about the type of work and achievements that lead to the different levels of award: MBE , OBE CBE , KBE and DBE I want to put someone forward for a Queen’s honour now, how do I get started? If you would like Awards Intelligence to professionally manage your Queen's honour nomination to give someone the best chance of success with a knighthood or damehood all you need to do is call +44 (0)1444 230130 or email enquiries@awardsintelligence.co.uk . One of the Awards Intelligence Queen's honours consultants will talk to you first to make sure the nominee meets all the requirements of the Queen’s honours criteria and will explain to your exactly how each of our professional services works. Will Awards Intelligence lobby for an honour for an individual? Awards Intelligence will never lobby for an honour to be awarded to any individual. Our professional service is transparent and objective and bears no relationship to the Cabinet Office or any other government department or committee.

Every single nomination is considered by the appropriate honours committee and will only be judged on the merit of the candidate's achievements - not on who the nominator is, or on who drafted the nomination. The Cabinet Office are aware when a nomination has been professionally drafted and ensure that all nominations are considered equally, ensuring a fair and equal process. Will a criminal record effect a nomination for a knighthood? A criminal record will not prevent a person for being considered for a knighthood, so long as there is no outstanding issue. Demonstrating how the nominee has turned their life around and used their experience in a positive way to help others can in fact make a great nomination, and there are many examples of people who have achieved this result despite a difficult time in their life. Take a look at our blog story to find out more about one Queen's honours recipient who did just this, and ended up with an MBE for all her effort! Everyone has a unique story to tell in their nomination, so the best thing to do if you are considering an honour is give us a call for your free, confidential assessment and we will make sure you tick all the boxes for a Queen's honour nomination. Why is there no guarantee of receiving an honour?

Honours are open to all and are judged by the appropriate committee using a fair and transparent approach. Every nominee is considered for an award based only on the merit of their achievements, not on the merit of who has provided their nomination. Using the Awards Intelligence honours nomination service will guarantee that your nomination is of the highest standard and detail, in order to give it the best possible chance of success. We will not guarantee the receipt of an honour as we do not influence the selection process. The only way to ensure your nominee has the best chance of getting an honour is to provide a compelling case for consideration - and this is where we are the experts - so just give us a call to find out how we can help you today. Order of the British Empire O.B.E. Order of the British Empire O.B.E. Queen and Honours Top Surnames The Order of the British Empire Project photo: Grand Cross's star of the Order of the British Empire. The Order of the British Empire recognises distinguished service to the arts and sciences, public services outside the Civil Service and work with charitable and welfare organisations of all kinds. It was created during the First World War in 1917 by George V.

The King recognised the need for a new award of honour which could be more widely awarded, in recognition of the large numbers of people in the British Isles and other parts of the Empire who were helping the war effort both as combatants and as civilians on the home front. For the first time, women were included in an order of chivalry, and it was decided that the Order should also include foreigners who had helped the British war effort. From 1918 onwards there were Military and Civil Divisions, as George V also intended that after the war the Order should be used to reward services to the State in a much wider sense. Today the Order of the British Empire is the order of chivalry of British democracy. Valuable service is the only criterion for the award, and the Order is now used to reward service in a wide range of useful activities. Citizens from other countries may also receive an honorary award, for services rendered to the United Kingdom and its people. There are more than 100,000 living members of the Order throughout the world. After some debate, St Paul's Cathedral was nominated by a special committee and approved by The Queen, as the Chapel of the Order.

As the cathedral of the capital city, it could accommodate services attended by very large congregations. In the words of one committee member, 'St Paul's symbolised the victory of the British spirit during the war of 1939-45 in that, although badly damaged and shaken, it survived the ordeal by battle in an almost miraculous way.' A Chapel for the Order was built in the cathedral crypt (where Nelson, Wellington and Sir Christopher Wren are buried, amongst others). Its formal dedication in 1969 was attended by The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh (Grand Master of the Order). Once every four years, approximately 2,000 members of the Order attend a service there to celebrate the Order. Many people who have been awarded an honour from overseas attend these services, and each person attending wears their award. Motto: For God and the Empire Chapel: Knight/Dame Grand Cross, Knight/Dame Commander, Commander, Officer, Member Post-nominals: GBE, KBE/DBE, CBE, OBE and MBE Founded: 1917 The Order is composed of five classes in civil and military divisions.

In descending order of seniority, these are: Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (GBE), see Knight Grand Cross Knight Commander or Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE or DBE) Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) Only the highest two ranks automatically cause an individual to become a knight or dame, an honour allowing the recipient to use the title "Sir" (male) or "Dame" (female) before their first name (though men can be knighted separately from this and other Orders of Chivalry). Honorary knighthoods, given to individuals who are not nationals of a realm where Queen Elizabeth II is Head of State, permit use of the honour as a post-nominal but not as a title before their name. Awards in the Order of the British Empire in the Commonwealth Realms were discontinued with the establishment of national systems of honours and awards such as the Order of Canada, the Order of Australia and the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Foreign recipients are classified as honorary members of the Order they receive, and do not contribute to the numbers restricted to that Order as full members do. There is also a related British Empire Medal, whose recipients are not members of the Order, but who are nonetheless affiliated with the Order. The British Empire Medal had not been used in the United Kingdom or its dependencies since 1993, but was revived in 2012 with 293 BEMs awarded for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. In addition, BEM is used by the Cook Islands and by some other Commonwealth nations. Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (GBE) A

Question: MBE, OBE, CBE which is the highest honour
Answer: CBE