Despite their prevalence in society, royal honours can seem a confusing and complicated process to many. Typical questions surrounding the process include:
- Who decides which nominations are successful?
- What should go into a nomination?
- Is it possible for an ‘ordinary’ person to receive an MBE or even a knighthood?
In this article, we’ll give you a complete guide to the British Honours System, the process from start to finish, and the impact of receiving an award of this calibre. Additionally, we’ll share how our expertise at Awards Intelligence can help you navigate this journey.
What is the British Honours System?
The British Honours System, at its core, is all about recognising and celebrating excellence, outstanding services to our nation, and beyond, and instances of positive impact on our society. It is a centuries old tradition, one that has stood the test of time.
The lists of individuals who have been successful in their nominations and have accepted this honour are announced twice a year: the King’s Birthday Honours and the New Year Honours.
The final approval is awarded by the King, however, the process leading up to this recognition involves rigorous evaluation and many stages of approval, ensuring the highest standards can be upheld.
What are the different types of honours?
The awards below are given to individuals who go the extra mile in their field, whether that’s through business, charitable causes, education, healthcare, the arts, or public services.
Multiple types of honours can be awarded for a range of different achievements and circumstances. These include:
Knights and Dames
As per the name, this honour originates from the medieval days of chivalry. The way in which this accolade is awarded is reminiscent of the past; the tradition of passing on this award through the touch of a sword from the King or Queen has truly stood the test of time. This level of achievement is awarded for truly outstanding contributions to society.
The Order of the Bath
Founded in 1725, this order of chivalry is for service of the highest calibre. With a civil and military division, this award is bestowed in the following ranks:
- Knight Grand Cross (GCB)
- Knight Commander (KCB)
- Companion (CB).
Order of St Michael and St George
The Order of St Michael and St George was established in 1818 by King George III. This honour is bestowed upon British citizens who have performed exceptional and significant services in the Commonwealth or overseas. The ranks within the Order include
- Companion (CMG)
- Knight or Dame Commander (KCMG or DCMG)
- Knight or Dame Grand Cross (GCMG)
Order of the Companions of Honour
This award, which is bestowed upon individuals for their distinguished service of national significance, is limited to 65 recipients, who are then entitled to use the initials CH after their name.
Orders of the British Empire
During World War One, King George V established these honours to acknowledge the contributions of both civilians at home and service personnel in support roles to the war effort.
The Order of the British Empire is comprised of three ranks: Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE), and Member (MBE).
Today, they are bestowed upon individuals who have played significant roles on a national or regional level, or who have made distinguished or notable contributions within their specific fields.
British Empire Medal (BEM)
The British Empire Medal (BEM), established in 1917, was awarded to civilians and military personnel for meritorious service. Recipients of the BEM did not attend a royal investiture. Although it was abolished, this award has been reinstated since 2012.
Royal Victorian Order
In 1896, the power to decide who received awards had shifted mostly to the Prime Minister and the government. This led Queen Victoria to create The Royal Victorian Order, a personal award she gave for services to the Royal Family.
The ranks of this order include:
- Knight or Dame Grand Cross (GCVO)
- Knight or Dame Commander (KCVO or DCVO)
- Commander (CVO)
- Lieutenant (LVO)
- Member (MVO)
Royal Red Cross
The Royal Red Cross award was established by Queen Victoria in 1883 and is exclusively awarded to those who work in the nursing profession. The award has two classes: the First Class, Members (RRC) and the Second Class, Associates (ARRC).
Other awards
Additional awards that recognise brilliance, according to the BBC, include:
- King’s Police Medal: for services in the police force.
- King’s Fire Service Medal: for firefighters who have shown dedication to their duties.
- King’s Ambulance Service Medal: for outstanding services in the ambulance service.
- King’s Gallantry Medal: for acts of bravery by civilians.
- King’s Commendation for Bravery: for exhibited bravery and acts not in the presence of an enemy from civilians and all ranks of the British armed forces.
- King’s Commendation for Bravery in the Air: for civilians and all ranks of the British armed forces, for acts of bravery in the air not in the presence of an enemy.
Who can receive a royal honour?
One of the biggest misconceptions about our honours system is that only celebrities or senior public figures can become MBEs, OBEs, CBEs and beyond.
The reality is entirely different. The British Honours System recognises unsung heroes, those who work tirelessly to advance progress in their communities or professional industries.
Anyone can be nominated for such a prestigious accolade, regardless of their background or location in the world. Some of the most compelling nominations come from everyday individuals doing extraordinary things in their local areas, making a difference to the people around them.
The nomination process: behind the scenes
The nomination process for a royal honour is so much more than filling in a few forms. The Honours Committee is looking for individuals who have demonstrated that they are leaders in their field of expertise, showcasing their sustained commitment to going above and beyond and positively impacting wider society.
Crafting a compelling story that is backed by credible references is the best way to create a nomination that stands a chance of receiving a royal honour. Referees are crucial during this process. Choose people who can independently vouch for the nominee’s contribution and share details on their influence in a certain area.
The process is, of course, highly competitive; the bar for success is high. Maximise the chance of achieving success with your nomination with Awards Intelligence.
Our experts will guide you throughout the process, from beginning to end. With many years of experience, we know what the committee is looking for and the best ways to position your nomination so that you can make your nominee’s dreams come true.
What happens after you’re nominated?
To ensure the highest of standards can be upheld and that only the best of the best are recognised for their contributions to society, there are ten different subject specialist committees and a Diversity Committee.
These committees are composed of both civil servants and independent members, enabling the expert evaluation of each nomination and the celebration of true excellence, whilst avoiding biases.
After this in-depth analysis of the nominations, the Main Honours Committee has the final say and assigns which honour best aligns with the achievements of the individual. Additional checks then ensue, conducted with professional bodies, including HM Revenue & Customs, and with the Lord Lieutenant, who is a local representative of the King.
As we’ve mentioned, lengthy consideration is taken to ensure the integrity of the honours system is sustained and that the right people are recognised with such a respected award. Therefore, this process can take many months to finalise, anywhere between 12 and 24 months.
You will be notified either way if your nomination is successful or unsuccessful.
What happens if you’re selected?
If your nomination is successful, congratulations are in order. The recipient of the honour will be contacted in strict confidence, through a formal email or letter, in addition to a response form as to whether you will accept or decline this honour. If their answer is yes, their name will appear in the official honours list.
After the announcement, the successful candidate will be invited to attend an investiture ceremony, held at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle or the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
It’s a truly memorable day, where recipients are presented with their awards by a senior member of the Royal Family. For many, it’s the moment their lifelong dedication is formally recognised on the national stage.
The impact of receiving an honour
Whether it’s for philanthropic endeavours, social causes or championing progress in a particular field of work, receiving recognition in the form of a royal honour will draw attention to your efforts and thus better the lives of those in your community.
By raising awareness around an individual’s outstanding efforts in a specific area, this honour will provide a valuable platform for these achievements, enhance your profile and solidify a sense of trust with any potential investors, clients or future collaborations.
How Awards Intelligence can help
Our team of experts have a proven track record of success, empowering individuals or organisations to craft compelling honours nominations that truly stand out. With a 2 in 3 success rate, we can give you the best possible chance of securing a royal honour for your nominee.
From creating a captivating nomination and highlighting key achievements in an engaging way, to advising you on letters of support, we provide expert guidance at every stage.
If you can think of someone you believe deserves such prestigious recognition for their accomplishments, get in touch with us today.