What are the different King’s Birthday Honours – and what do they mean?

Special honors are given to people who have made outstanding contributions to their communities and countries, with the King Birthday Honors awarded to 1,182 recipients from across the UK.

They range from politicians, musicians and actors to top diplomats and elite sports stars.

The publication of the King’s Birthday Honors provides an opportunity to celebrate outstanding individual achievements and contributions to British society.

Here are the ranks, in descending order, and some of the honorees:

Comrades of Honor (CH)

The Order of the Companions of Honor was established by George V on 4 June 1917 and is limited to 65 members at a time.

Appointments are given to people who have made a long-standing contribution to the arts, science, medicine or government, and this time they include actress Dame Helen Mirren and famous photographer Sir Don McCullin.

Dame and Knights Grand Cross

A Woman’s or Knight’s Grand Cross is the highest rank in many Orders; Sir Jon Cunliffe, chairman of the Independent Water Commission, was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) and Professor Dame Parveen June Kumar was also recognized for her services to global medical education and health.

Bath Layout (GCB/KCB/DCB/CB)

This recognizes the work of senior military officials and civil servants.

Simon Burton, who retired in April as the 65th Parliamentary Clerk, the most senior position in the House of Lords, became KCB and senior civil servant Susanna McGibbon became DCB.

Order of St. Michael and St. George (GCMG/KCMG/DCMG/CMG)

This recognizes service in relation to foreign and Commonwealth affairs, such as the work of diplomats in a foreign country or abroad.

Commander of Knights and Ladies of the Order of the British Empire (KBE/DBE)

These are generally given to individuals who have made major contributions at the national level and who can use the titles madam and sir.

This year’s main list includes 17 women, including authors Julia Donaldson and Malorie Blackman, Labor MP and Parliamentary Labor Party (PLP) leader Jessica Morden and former Merseyside police chief Serena Kennedy.

Knights License

According to the Cabinet Office, the Imperial Knights Undergraduate Order does not constitute a royal warrant.

Rather, it is a medieval, male-only date. Recipients can use the title sir but do not have post-nominal letters as in other orders.

There is also no direct equivalent appointment for women.

Rugby league player, coach and fundraiser Kevin Sinfield and Aardman Animation co-founders Peter Lord and David Sproxton are among the 14 people to be knighted.

Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Individuals who are prominent at the national level but have played a lesser role or who have had a leading role at the regional level are recognized with this honour.

It also goes to those who have made a distinguished, innovative contribution to any field, and this time there are 90 of them.

Film composer Patrick Doyle, conductor Paul McCreesh and 87-year-old rugby league player and coach Neil Fox have been appointed CBEs.

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Individuals who have a significant local role in any activity, including individuals whose work has been recognized nationally, are made Officers of the Order of the British Empire.

The latest list of 240 people so honored includes broadcaster and former Catatonia singer Cerys Matthews, Jimmy Choo designer Sandra Choi and DJ Carl Cox.

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

This rank recognizes outstanding achievements or service to society with significant long-term impact.

The latest 501 list inductees into the Order of the British Empire include Euro-winning Lionesses Chloe Kelly, Michelle Agyemang, Hannah Hampton, Alessia Russo, Lauren James and Jess Carter.

British Empire Medal (BEM)

The BEM was reintroduced in 2012 by then prime minister David Cameron as part of an attempt to make the honors system “classless”, saying that too few people who had made a difference in their field were made MBEs.

The medal goes to 306 people who took part in the King’s Birthday Honours.