CBE, which stands for Commanders of the British Empire, is an honour bestowed on people who've contributed to the betterment of their region and British society. Established in 1917, this recognition became the third-highest grade in the British honour system, just above the Officer of the British Empire (OBE) award. In this CBE recipients list, we cover notable achievers, what they received their award for, and how recipients are chosen.

The Types of Contributions that Merit a CBE

  • Public service: superlative service to the common good (R. Burrow, K. Sinfeld and others).
  • Parliamentary and Political: notable work in political fields (A. Dodds, S. Gosling, et al).
  • Science and Academia: outstanding contributions to their fields (S. Hawking, K. Peters, and more).
  • Arts and Entertainment: exceptional performances that raise the British cultural consciousness (H. Laurie, B. Cumberbatch, etc.).
  • Sports: extraordinary athletes who raise the British sports profile (D. Beckham, G. Lineker, etc.).
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List of CBE Recipients

Were we to list every CBE recipient there ever was, you would be reading for days! So, we limit our list to the most recognisable names whose contributions to British society and culture are especially noteworthy.

😇 Honouree🎭 Field🏢 Position🥇 Their works/deeds📅 When awarded
Richard CurtisFilm & TVScreenwriter, Four Weddings and a Funeral; Comic Relief co-founderFor services to Television and Film Comedy and to Comic ReliefNew Year Honours, 2000
Daley ThompsonSportDouble Olympic decathlon championFor services to AthleticsNew Year Honours, 2000
Jonathan EdwardsSportOlympic triple jump champion and world record holderFor services to AthleticsNew Year Honours, 2001
Lennox LewisSportFormer undisputed heavyweight boxing championFor services to BoxingNew Year Honours, 2002
Sebastian FaulksBooksNovelist, BirdsongFor services to LiteratureBirthday Honours, 2002
StingMusicSinger-songwriter, The PoliceFor services to the Music IndustryBirthday Honours, 2003
David GilmourMusicGuitarist and singer, Pink FloydFor services to MusicBirthday Honours, 2003
Colin JacksonSportFormer 110m hurdles world champion and broadcasterFor services to SportBirthday Honours, 2003
Eric ClaptonMusicRock and blues guitaristFor services to MusicNew Year Honours, 2004
Martin JohnsonSportEngland's 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning captainFor services to Rugby UnionNew Year Honours, 2004
Joe CalzagheSportUndefeated world champion boxerFor services to Sport and for voluntary service in WalesBirthday Honours, 2008
Robert PlantMusicSinger, Led ZeppelinFor services to MusicNew Year Honours, 2009
Peter JonesBusinessEntrepreneur and Dragons' Den investorFor services to Business, Entrepreneurship and to Young PeopleNew Year Honours, 2009
Colin FirthFilm & TVActor, The King's SpeechFor services to DramaBirthday Honours, 2011
Bryan FerryMusicSinger, Roxy MusicFor services to MusicBirthday Honours, 2011
Helena Bonham CarterFilm & TVActor, The King's Speech and Harry PotterFor services to DramaNew Year Honours, 2012
Nigel MansellSport1992 Formula One world championFor services to Children and Young PeopleNew Year Honours, 2012
Kate WinsletFilm & TVActor, Titanic and The ReaderFor services to DramaBirthday Honours, 2012
Kate BushMusicSinger-songwriterFor services to MusicNew Year Honours, 2013
Victoria PendletonSportDouble Olympic track cycling championFor services to CyclingNew Year Honours, 2013
David WeirSportSix-time Paralympic wheelchair racing championFor services to AthleticsNew Year Honours, 2013
Rowan AtkinsonFilm & TVActor and comedian, Mr Bean and BlackadderFor services to Drama and CharityBirthday Honours, 2013
Charlotte EdwardsSportFormer England women's cricket captainFor services to CricketBirthday Honours, 2014
Benedict CumberbatchFilm & TVActor, Sherlock and Doctor StrangeFor services to the Performing Arts and to CharityBirthday Honours, 2015
Chiwetel EjioforFilm & TVActor, 12 Years a SlaveFor services to DramaBirthday Honours, 2015
Jonny WilkinsonSportKicked England's 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning drop goalFor services to Rugby UnionBirthday Honours, 2015
Alan ShearerSportPremier League record goalscorer and punditFor charitable services to the community in North East EnglandBirthday Honours, 2016
SadeMusicSinger-songwriterFor services to MusicBirthday Honours, 2017
Hugh LaurieFilm & TVActor, House and BlackadderFor services to DramaNew Year Honours, 2018
Rick SteinFoodChef, restaurateur and TV presenterFor services to the EconomyNew Year Honours, 2018
Tom HardyFilm & TVActor, Peaky Blinders and Mad Max: Fury RoadFor services to DramaBirthday Honours, 2018
Ken FollettBooksNovelist, The Pillars of the EarthFor services to Literature and CharityBirthday Honours, 2018
Sophie OkonedoFilm & TVActor, Hotel RwandaFor services to DramaNew Year Honours, 2019
Chris PackhamFilm & TVNaturalist and presenter, SpringwatchFor services to Nature ConservationNew Year Honours, 2019
Nicola BenedettiMusicViolinistFor services to MusicNew Year Honours, 2019
Nick MasonMusicDrummer, Pink FloydFor services to MusicNew Year Honours, 2019
Olivia ColmanFilm & TVActor, The Favourite and The CrownFor services to DramaBirthday Honours, 2019
Lee ChildBooksAuthor, the Jack Reacher novelsFor services to LiteratureBirthday Honours, 2019
Eoin MorganSportEngland's 2019 Cricket World Cup-winning captainFor services to CricketNew Year Honours, 2020
Brian CoxSciencePhysicist and TV presenterFor services to the Promotion of ScienceBirthday Honours, 2020
Lorraine KellyFilm & TVTV presenterFor services to Broadcasting, Journalism and CharityBirthday Honours, 2020
Joan ArmatradingMusicSinger-songwriterFor services to Music, Charity and Equal RightsBirthday Honours, 2020
Jim Al-KhaliliSciencePhysicist and broadcasterFor services to Science and Public Engagement in STEMBirthday Honours, 2021
Sue BarkerFilm & TVFormer tennis player and presenter, A Question of SportFor services to Sport, Broadcasting and CharityBirthday Honours, 2021
LuluMusicSinger and entertainerFor services to Music, Entertainment and CharityBirthday Honours, 2021
Philippa GregoryBooksNovelist, The Other Boleyn GirlFor services to Literature and Charity in the UK and The GambiaBirthday Honours, 2021
Anthony HorowitzBooksNovelist, the Alex Rider seriesFor services to LiteratureNew Year Honours, 2022
Moira StuartFilm & TVNewsreader and broadcasterFor services to MediaNew Year Honours, 2022
Clare BaldingFilm & TVSports presenterFor services to Sport and to CharityBirthday Honours, 2022
Damian LewisFilm & TVActor, Homeland and BillionsFor services to Drama and CharityBirthday Honours, 2022
Stella McCartneyFashionFashion designerFor services to Fashion and to SustainabilityBirthday Honours, 2022
Stuart BroadSportFormer England fast bowlerFor services to CricketNew Year Honours, 2024
Kate MosseBooksNovelist and founder of the Women's Prize for FictionFor services to Literature, to Women and to CharityNew Year Honours, 2024
Peter ShiltonSportEngland's most-capped footballerFor services to Association Football and to the Prevention of Gambling HarmNew Year Honours, 2024
Christian HornerSportFormer Red Bull Racing team principalFor services to Motor SportNew Year Honours, 2024
Armando IannucciFilm & TVWriter and director, The Thick of It and VeepFor services to Film and TelevisionBirthday Honours, 2024
Graeme SounessSportFormer Liverpool captain and punditFor services to Association Football and to CharityBirthday Honours, 2024
Carey MulliganFilm & TVActor, An Education and Promising Young WomanFor services to DramaNew Year Honours, 2025
Sarah LancashireFilm & TVActor, Happy ValleyFor services to DramaNew Year Honours, 2025
Alan TitchmarshFilm & TVGardener, author and broadcasterFor services to Horticulture and to CharityNew Year Honours, 2025
Hannah CockroftSportParalympic wheelchair racing championFor services to AthleticsNew Year Honours, 2025
Robert HarrisBooksNovelist, ConclaveFor services to LiteratureNew Year Honours, 2025
Virginia WadeSport1977 Wimbledon championFor services to Tennis and to CharityBirthday Honours, 2025
Leah WilliamsonSportEngland Lionesses captain, Euro 2022 winnerFor services to Association FootballNew Year Honours, 2026
Max RichterMusicComposerFor services to MusicNew Year Honours, 2026

Max Richter
Composer Max Richter was honoured with a CBE at the King's Birthday awards in 2026. Photo by Ralph_PH

Actors and TV Stars With a CBE

Cultural exports like films and music are powerful tools that make British history and society knowable across the planet. People around the world watch television shows like Downton Abbey and Dr Who. Other countries rushed to copy our Got Talent and Love Island reality show formats.

You could play practically any Ed Sheeran or Harry Style song anywhere on this planet and it would be recognised as a British cultural export. These are the top CBE award holders in the entertainment category, who've helped promote British culture.

Benedict Cumberbatch
Born:

19 July 1976 in Hammersmith, London

Known for:

Sherlock, The Imitation Game, Doctor Strange and The Power of the Dog.

CBE Award:

Birthday Honours 2015, "For services to the Performing Arts and to Charity".

Olivia Colman
Born:

30 January 1974 in Norwich

Known for:

Her Oscar-winning role as Queen Anne in The Favourite, Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown, Broadchurch and Peep Show.

CBE Award:

Birthday Honours 2019, "For services to Drama", a few months after her Oscar win.

Kate Winslet
Born:

5 October 1975 in Reading, Berkshire

Known for:

Titanic, Sense and Sensibility, her Oscar-winning role in The Reader, and Mare of Easttown.

CBE Award:

Birthday Honours 2012, "For services to Drama".

Rowan Atkinson
Born:

6 January 1955 in Consett, County Durham

Known for:

Mr Bean, Blackadder and the Johnny English films.

CBE Award:

Birthday Honours 2013, "For services to Drama and Charity".

Musicians with a CBE

Julie Andrews
Born:

1 October 1935, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey

Known for:

Acclaimed actress and singer, best known for Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music and her long-running career in film, theatre and television

CBE Award:

DBE, 2000 New Year Honours — for services to the performing arts

Kate Bush
Born:

30 July 1958 in Bexleyheath, Kent

Known for:

Wuthering Heights, which made her the first woman to top the UK charts with a song she wrote herself, and Running Up That Hill, which returned to No. 1 in 2022 thanks to Stranger Things.

CBE Award:

New Year Honours 2013, "For services to Music".

Sting
Born:

2 October 1951 in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear

Known for:

Frontman of The Police ("Every Breath You Take", "Roxanne"), followed by a long solo career.

CBE Award:

Birthday Honours 2003, "For services to the Music Industry".

Max Richter
Born:

22 March 1966 in Hamelin, West Germany, and raised in England

Known for:

On the Nature of Daylight, the eight-hour album Sleep, and film and TV scores including Arrival and The Leftovers.

CBE Award:

New Year Honours 2026, "For services to Music".

Sports Stars With A CBE

Johnny Wilkinson
Born:

25 May 1979 in Frimley, Surrey

Known for:

The extra-time drop goal that won England the 2003 Rugby World Cup

CBE Award:

Birthday Honours 2015, "For services to Rugby Union". He climbed every rank of the Order: MBE in 2003, OBE in 2004 and CBE in 2015.

Leah Williamson
Born:

29 March 1997 in Milton Keynes

Known for:

Captaining England's Lionesses to victory at Euro 2022.

CBE Award:

New Year Honours 2026, "For services to Association Football", three years after her OBE.

Stuart Broad
Born:

24 June 1986 in Nottingham

Known for:

Taking more than 600 Test wickets for England, including 8 for 15 against Australia at Trent Bridge in 2015.

CBE Award:

New Year Honours 2024, "For services to Cricket", following his MBE in 2016.

Hannah Cockroft
Born:

30 July 1992 in Halifax, West Yorkshire

Known for:

Dominating T34 wheelchair racing, with Paralympic gold medals at every Games from London 2012 to Paris 2024.

CBE Award:

New Year Honours 2025, "For services to Athletics". She had already been made an MBE and then an OBE.

If we most appreciate and benefit from honourees' good works listed above, sport is where many of us feel the deepest connection. Our tennis players and footballers aren't just heroes in their fields, they're athlete ambassadors, inspiring millions around the world. As far as many are concerned, every top athlete deserves this award, but these are the ones the King has recognised.

🎩 Honouree🏅 Sport📅 Year awarded📝 Notes
Sir Steve RedgraveRowing1997Promoted to Knight Bachelor in 2001.
Dave BrailsfordCycling2012Promoted to Knight Bachelor after the 2012 London Olympics.
Virginia WadeTennis2025Also commended for her extensive charity work.
Gerald DaviesRugby2003Also commended for his service to young people.
Alan ShearerFootball2016Also commended for charitable work in North East England.
Hannah Cockroft
Hannah Cockroft dazzles in wheelchair racing, which earned her the CBE award. Photo by Peter Wayne

Authors With A CBE

Lee Child
Born:

29 October 1954 in Coventry, as James Dover Grant

Known for:

The Jack Reacher thrillers, adapted for film and for the Reacher TV series.

CBE Award:

Birthday Honours 2019, "For services to Literature".

Ken Follet
Born:

5 June 1949 in Cardiff

Known for:

The Pillars of the Earth and its sequels, and spy thrillers including Eye of the Needle.

CBE Award:

Birthday Honours 2018, "For services to Literature and Charity".

The pen is mightier than the sword.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton, from Richelieu, or the Conspiracy

The written word is a powerful tool that, more than once, has defined the course of history. So, it's no coincidence that we gather CBE honour holders under one header that relies on writing. These are the most notable wordsmiths on that list.

📕 Author📰 Field📅 Year awarded 📝 Notes
Jilly CooperLiterature2024Best known for the Rutshire Chronicles, including Riders and Rivals; made a Dame for services to literature and charity.
Robert HarrisLiterature2025Best known for historical and political thrillers including Fatherland, Enigma and the Cicero trilogy; awarded a CBE for services to literature.
Alan HollinghurstLiteratureAward-winning novelist best known for The Line of Beauty, which won the 2004 Booker Prize; awarded for services to literature.
Professor Alexander McCall SmithAcademia2007As of 2024, Sir McCall Smith is a Knight Bachelor.
Professor Michaela Jane BenzevalAcademia 2024For studies in Sociology
Stephen HawkingAcademia1982Prof. Hawking declined a knighthood in the 1990s over science funding policies.
Timothy David GardamJournalism2024Journalist and former BBC and Channel 4 executive; recognised for services to journalism and education.
Dharshini DavidJournalism2025Specialising in economics reporting
Peter Robert TaylorJournalism2025He delivered definitive coverage of The Troubles; author of 10 books; specialises in political reporting.
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Scientists with a CBE

Professor Brian Cox
Born:

3 March 1968 in Oldham

Known for:

Particle physics at the University of Manchester, BBC series such as Wonders of the Solar System, and, before science, playing keyboards for D:Ream on "Things Can Only Get Better".

CBE Award:

Birthday Honours 2020, "For services to the Promotion of Science", ten years after his OBE.

Professor Jim Al-Khalili
Born:

20 September 1962 in Lahore, Pakistan

Known for:

Theoretical physics at the University of Surrey, and presenting BBC Radio 4's The Life Scientific.

CBE Award:

Birthday Honours 2021, "For services to Science and Public Engagement in STEM".

This award category is much better regarded, and its nominees list is much more populated. So, we limit our selection to the most renowned recipients.

🔬 Scientist👨‍🎓 Field📅 Year awarded📝 Notes
Sir Gregory Paul Winter Microbiology1997Honoured as Knight Bachelor in 2004.
He also won the Nobel Prize for his discoveries in 2018.
Professor Richard EllisAstronomy 2008Astronomer known for his research into galaxy formation and evolution; former Professor of Astrophysics at Caltech and recipient of numerous international scientific honors.
Professor Andrew Hopper Computer technology 2007Specialising in computer networks.
Professor Bashir Mohammed Ali Al-HashimiEngineering2018He also chairs the UK Royal Academy of Engineering's International Committee.
Professor Peter Anthony ThompsonPhysics2025CEO of the National Physical Laboratory
Doctor Emma Clare VauxMedicine2021Medical doctor and specialist in renal medicine; recognised for her contributions to medicine and for supporting doctors and healthcare professionals.
Paul Boyle Geography 2016Geographer and population scientist known for research into migration, population change and geographical inequalities; former Vice-Chancellor of Swansea University.
Professor Paul Michael StewartMedicine2025Physician and endocrinologist known for research into adrenal and hormonal diseases; Professor of Medicine at the University of Leeds and a leading figure in endocrinology.

Chefs and Designers With A CBE

Stella McCartney
Born:

13 September 1971 in London

Known for:

Her own fashion label, famous for avoiding leather and fur, and designing Team GB's kit for the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.

CBE Award:

Birthday Honours 2022, "For services to Fashion and to Sustainability", following her OBE in 2013.

Rick Stein
Born:

4 January 1947 in Churchill, Oxfordshire

Known for:

The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow and decades of BBC food and travel series.

CBE Award:

New Year Honours 2018, "For services to the Economy", following his OBE in 2003.

Politics, Parliament, and Economics

If today's press and social media are any indication, the public doesn't see politicians and parliamentarians as award-worthy. And poor economists! Few understand their discipline well enough to consider any of them for any type of award. Still, more than a handful of names populate this category.

💰 Professor Wendy Joan Carlin, awarded in 2026 for services to economics services.
📊 Professor Andrew John Scott, London Business School, recognised for his service to Economics.
⚖ The Right Honourable Jonathan Ashworth: honoured in 2026 for parliamentary and political service, as well as his advocacy on behalf of children of alcoholics.
📢 Matilda Rosemary McAuliffe: awarded in 2026 for her service to parliament and public service.

Public Service: Community and Charity

Clearly, chivalry is not dead in the UK - as demonstrated by this award category, and the various British Orders of Chivalry. The Public Service nomination category is most often the one that directly impacts the citizenry. We can see - and usually benefit from - the work these honourees do.

😇 Honouree🧙‍♂️ Endeavours📅 Year awarded📝 Notes
Daniel LevyCharitable contributions
Community work
2026He focuses his efforts in Tottenham
Bernard Francis McConvilleCharity
Services to the economy
2021His work benefits Northern Ireland.
Hazel IrvineSports diplomacy
Charity
2024
David Charles HolmesServices to children and families2024
Amanda Sonia BerryCharity
Creative industries
2025
Fergus McCannSustained philanthropic work
Charity
Services to the economy
2026
Selina Marie WebbSupport for neurodiversity
Charity
2024
Lesley Ann ManvilleCharity
Services to drama
2021

The Newest CBEs: 20 Notable Recipients From 2025 and 2026

Though the numbers aren't specific, the King awards around 100 people their CBE across two occasions: The New Year Honours and the (King's) Birthday Honours4. The Gazette announces these awards twice each year:

The New Year Honours list

Published shortly before the end of the preceding calendar year.

The Birthday Honours list

Published shortly before the sovereign's official birthday; typically in June.

The latest list recognises 1,182 nominees from the UK and the Commonwealth across all levels of awards. These are our picks for the most noteworthy CBE recipients and how they earned their award.

New Year Honours 2025

  • Carey Mulligan, actor: "For services to Drama"
  • Sarah Lancashire, actor (Happy Valley): "For services to Drama"
  • Alan Titchmarsh, gardener and broadcaster: "For services to Horticulture and to Charity"
  • Hannah Cockroft, Paralympic wheelchair racing champion: "For services to Athletics"
  • Robert Harris, novelist (Conclave): "For services to Literature"
  • Anne Reid, actor: "For services to Drama"
  • Sandy Powell, Oscar-winning costume designer: "For services to Costume Design"

Birthday Honours 2025

  • Virginia Wade, 1977 Wimbledon champion: "For services to Tennis and to Charity"
  • Martha Kearney, journalist and broadcaster: "For services to Journalism and Broadcasting"
  • Jane Tranter, co-founder of Bad Wolf (His Dark Materials, Doctor Who): "For services to Television"
  • Roisin Currie, CEO of Greggs: "For services to Hospitality"
  • Doug Perkins, co-founder of Specsavers: "For services to Business and Trade"

New Year Honours 2026

  • Leah Williamson, England Lionesses captain: "For services to Association Football"
  • Max Richter, composer: "For services to Music"
  • Daniel Levy, former Tottenham Hotspur chair: "For services to Charity and the community in Tottenham"
  • Alex Mahon, former Channel 4 chief executive: "For services to Broadcasting and Diversity"
  • Simon Roberts, CEO of Sainsbury's: "For services to the Retail Industry"

Birthday Honours 2026

  • Patrick Doyle, film composer: "For services to Film"
  • Charlotte Tilbury, make-up artist and founder of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty: "For services to the Beauty and Cosmetics Industry"
  • Ron Arad, industrial designer and architect: "For services to Art and Design"

What Exactly Is A CBE?

Today's honours system has its roots in the 1066 Norman Conquest, when the feudal government began issuing knighthoods1. In 1917, King George restructured the awards system to recognise the service of non-combatants after the First World War. The next major change came in 1993, to broaden the categories of recipients, and to allow for public nominations and more nominees.

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Where does the CBE sit in the honours hierarchy?

The CBE is one level higher than the OBE and the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) awards. It's one step below the Knight/Dame honour.

Like most awards in Britain's honours system, the CBE does not convey a knighthood or damehood. That means that we do not distinguish CBE recipients Hugh Laurie or David Beckham as Sir. We do call Judy Dench 'Dame' because she was awarded the higher ranking in 1988, after nearly 20 years of holding a lower-ranked award, a CBE.

Each rank in the British honours system has specific criteria potential recipients must meet before consideration for an award. Among the three lower ranks, the MBE, OBE, and CBE, the differences seem slight but are profound2.

👇 MBE the lowest rank awarded for exceptional contributions with lasting impact at the local level. Adele, Ed Sheeran, and Harry Kane are all MBEs.
👉 OBE the middle rank awarded for a major local role that gains national prominence.
J. K. Rowling, Kiera Knightly, and Damon Albarn are all OBEs.
👆 CBE the highest rank awarded for a prominent role on the national stage.
Helena Bonham Carter, Harold Pinter, and Jonny Wilkinson are all CBEs.

As noted above, the recipients of this and other awards may place their award's abbreviation after their name - CBE, in this case. Should they have other abbreviations, such as a doctorate title, military rank or society membership, their CBE comes before all of them. Their letterhead might look like this:

John C. Smith, CBE, PhD, BMA (British Medical Association)

Key Takeaways of the British Honours System and the CBE

This system has a long history; nobility and royalty have been awarding worthy candidates since the Norman Conquest. The latest reforms to this system took place in 1993 to make them more inclusive.

The CBE is the third award up in the hierarchy; taking the middle position between the highest and lowest honour.

🥇 Honour📜 Full title 📊 Rank
MBEMember of the Order of the British EmpireLowest award
OBEOfficer of the Order of the British EmpireLower award
CBECommander of the Order of the British EmpireSenior award
KBE/DBEKnight/Dame CommanderHigher award
GBEKnight/Dame Grand CrossHighest award

Once a nominee receives their honour, they may add CBE to their name. It must lead any other abbreviation that might follow their name. However, they do not receive - and must not use - the Sir/Dame title.

How Is the List of CBE Recipients Populated?

Since the 1993 reforms, any person may nominate anyone they believe is worthy of this honour, just as they would any person they believe should receive an MBE award. However, no one may nominate themselves, no matter how noteworthy their accomplishments may be.

Submitting a nomination is a bit more involved than emailing the Honours and Appointments Secretariat3. One must fill out a formal nomination form, wherein they'll detail their candidate's accomplishments and impacts on society. The must send their nomination in, along with two letters supporting their nomination.

drafts
Nomination writing services

Many people turn to professional writers to compose the most effective narrative for their nominee. The government does not recommend or endorse any professional drafting services.

Your nomination's supporting letters should be from people with direct experience of the nominee's work. Once you submit your nomination request, the Secretariat follows a series of steps to validate nominations.

🔎 Vetting: nominee background checks, to include criminal and tax records.
🎩 Committee review: independent persons review each nomination, weighing their merits to judge whether each nominee meets the award criteria.
👍 Final approval comes from the Prime Minister.
👑 Final step: the King hosts a formal ceremony to distribute awards to each recipient.

Should your nomination not be approved, you may not appeal or immediately resubmit that person as a nominee. You must wait two years between nominations for the same person. And when you nominate them again, their accomplishments must be substantially greater than the previous nomination you submitted.

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Key takeaways from the nomination process

1️⃣ You may nominate anyone you've not nominated in the last two years.
2️⃣ You must fill out the nomination form, listing your nominee's deeds and their impact.
3️⃣ You must submit two letters from people with direct experience of your nominee's work.
4️⃣ You may never nominate yourself, no matter how worthy your accomplishments are.

References

  1. Honours Secretariat. “History.” UK Honours System, 2026, https://honours.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/about/history/. Accessed 9 Sept. 2026.
  2. The Gazette . “What Is the Difference Between a CBE, OBE, MBE and a Knighthood? | The Gazette.” Www.Thegazette.Co.Uk, 26 June 2026, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/all-notices/content/103372. Accessed 9 Sept. 2026.
  3. Honours Secretariat. “Nomination Guidance.” UK Honours System, 2026, https://honours.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/how-to-nominate/nomination-guidance/. Accessed 9 Sept. 2026.
  4. Recipient Of A CBE, January. “How to Get a CBE? - What Is a CBE? - Awards Intelligence.” Awards Intelligence, 28 Mar. 2026, https://www.awardsintelligence.co.uk/awards/cbe/. Accessed 9 Sept. 2026.

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Sophia Birk

A vagabond traveller whose first love is the written word, I advocate for continuous learning, cycling, and the joy only a beloved pet can bring.