Who does the Honours system recognise?
The UK honours system recognises individual achievements, spanning the personal and professional fields, that include but aren’t limited to:
- community, voluntary and public services
- sport
- science and technology
- arts and media
- health
- education
- business and the economy
- civil/political service
Who can apply?
The Honours Committee encourages nominations from all corners of the world, including different gender and sexual orientations, social backgrounds, and ethnicities, ensuring the nominations are fair and diverse and reflect the complex fabric of modern society.
Your nomination needs to include:
- Why the nominee is going above and beyond
- The impact they have had on society or community
- Any challenges and difficulties they have faced and overcome
- Voluntary and charity work that should be considered
- A minimum of two supporting letters, however we recommend five to fifteen
The process
The application journey begins with submitting your nomination! You can apply online, by post or by email.
After receiving your nominations, the Honours Committee will conduct a thorough assessment of your nominated candidate, evaluating their achievements against their rigorous criteria.
Subsequently, if the committee agrees that your candidate deserves to be honoured, based on their collective expertise, they will recommend it to the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister will then advise the monarch on the honours to be awarded. His Royal Majesty has the final decision, the one who formally approves the awards. Only the most worthy candidates are awarded with a Royal Honour, so it is truly an incredible achievement.
So, why should you make a nomination?
Bearing in mind that this award is designed to celebrate individual achievements, the person you are nominating should be going above and beyond to make a difference with their efforts.
Or perhaps your nominee could have a long history of volunteering for charitable causes, distinguishing them as someone who is truly committed to making the world a better place. Improving the lives of others should never go without praise and recognition. This represents both moral courage and selflessness, two key pillars that uplift our society.
We know that both community-driven projects and innovation aren’t mutually exclusive. It’s important to consider that your nominee could be recognised for their entrepreneurial spirit, innovating thought leadership and enhancing the UK’s global reputation.
The Honours nomination deadline
There is no formal deadline to receive the nominations for a Royal Honour. Due to the length of time it takes to consider your nomination, the deadline is rolling, although you may wish to consider this time frame in relation to the announcement of the Honours List.
It’s typical for you to not hear anything concerning your nomination status for 12 to 18 months after you’ve applied, apart from an acknowledgement to confirm that your nomination has been received.
If, after two years, you have still not heard about your nomination becoming successful, you may presume that your nomination is void. But fear not, you can resubmit your nomination! However, you do have to ensure that your candidate has made a significant improvement from the last nomination to be considered, ensuring the highest standards are upheld.
How long does it take?
Due to the rigorous nature of these awards, it usually takes over a year from the date a nomination is made until you discover whether your candidate has been successful or not. The Honours List is published twice a year, once for the New Year and another on the King’s official birthday in June.
It might seem like a long process. However, this amount of time is needed to ensure enough time is taken to verify your claims and analyse the supporting evidence from the candidate’s peers or colleagues.
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