How does the British honours system work and how do you nominate someone?
As the New Year Honors List, which celebrates outstanding contributions to British society, is announced, questions inevitably arise.
Who exactly determines these accolades and what criteria determine such recognition?
We delve into the complex mechanics of the UK’s honors system.
What is honor for?
Honors that are part of the orders of chivalry have been bestowed by monarchs since the Middle Ages.
More recently, the British honors system rewards people who have “made achievements in public life” and “dedicated themselves to serving and aiding Britain”.
It accepts long-term volunteers, innovators, entrepreneurs, individuals who demonstrate “moral courage,” those who make a difference in their community or field of work, or those who improve the lives of others who are less able to help themselves.
Honorary awards are given to people operating in various fields such as sports, health, science and technology, education, business, arts and media.
Bravery awards, which recognize courage, can be given to members of the armed forces and emergency services, as well as civilians.
How are people nominated for honorary awards?
Any member of the public or government agency may nominate an individual for the honorary award.
Citizens of the United Kingdom and citizens of the 15 Commonwealth “territories” of which the King is head of state are eligible to be nominated.
Individuals living or working abroad whose achievements have been achieved in another country or the UK and have a significant international element may also be nominated.
Nominations are submitted to the Honors and Appointments Secretariat of the Cabinet Office, which oversees the honors system.
Non-British or Commonwealth country nationals may also be considered for “honourary” awards.
Who approves the nominations?
It may take 12 to 18 months for nominations to be evaluated.
The suitability of candidates submitted to the Honors and Appointments Secretariat is determined through “merit” and “integrity and suitability” checks.
To avoid “bringing into disrepute” the system, this review process may include input from Government departments, regulators, professional bodies, HM Revenue and Customs and the Acro Criminal Records Office.
A group of 10 independent honors committees, each covering specialist topics such as sports or health, evaluate the nominations.
The recommendations of these groups of independent experts and senior civil servants are forwarded to the Prime Minister and ultimately the King for approval.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) oversees the Diplomatic Service and Overseas List.
When are the awards announced?
Twice a year – on the new year and on the King’s official birthday in June.
The lists are published in The Gazette, the official newspaper of the Crown.
Once all recipients have been decided and checked, the Central Chancellery of the Order of Knighthood at St James’s Palace arranges the investitures for the presentation of the medals.
Senior royals host these ceremonies, which are held approximately 30 times a year at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and occasionally at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
What are the types of honor?
Lists often include knights and dames, appointments to the Order of the British Empire, and gallantry awards.
The most senior ranks of the Order of the British Empire are Knight or Dame Grand Cross (GBE) and Knight or Dame Commander (KBE or DBE).
These ranks allow the use of the title “Sir” for men and “Miss” for women, with the honor usually given to those who have made major contributions in any field at the national level.
The ranks of the Order are Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE) and Member (MBE), after knighthood or dame.
Other honors include:
– Companion of Honor (CH) – This honor recognizes significant contributions to the arts, science, medicine, or government over an extended period of time. Limited to only 65 people at a time.
– British Empire Medal (BEM) – Developed from a medal associated with the creation of the Order of the British Empire, the BEM recognizes local community service that makes a significant difference.
Honor recipients are appointed to one of the different orders of chivalry, with most appointments being made to the Order of the British Empire.
Others include the Royal Victorian Order (RVO), where the King personally appoints individuals to serve the British monarch.
The Order of the Bath is for senior civil servants and military officers, while the Order of St Michael and St George recognizes service in a foreign country or in connection with foreign and Commonwealth affairs.
The Royal Red Cross (RRC), King’s Police Medal (KPM), King’s Fire Service Medal (KFSM) and King’s Ambulance Service Medal (KAM) recognize the service of nurses, police, firefighters and ambulance service workers respectively.
