In this article, we will explore how long the process of receiving an honour takes, when honour recipients are notified of their success, and how Awards Intelligence can guide you throughout the process.
The honours system
Royal Honours are awarded based on exceptional accomplishments and an individual making a difference in their community or field of work. These efforts are made to serve and enhance Great Britain’s reputation, displaying moral fibre and improving the lives of others.
Honours are awarded across a range of disciplines, including sport, arts, business and entertainment, to name just a few.
According to The Gazette, most honours are given within the Civil Division of the Order of the British Empire, including:
How are nominations checked?
Each nomination is carefully considered by a team of experts in the specific field of the nominee, composed of civil servants and independent members.
According to the Commons Library, there are ten different subject specialist committees and a Diversity Committee. The Main Honours Committee makes the final selections and proposes the type of honour to be awarded.
Checks are carried out to ensure that the integrity of the honours system is upheld. These are conducted through professional bodies, HM Revenue & Customs, and finally, with the Lord Lieutenant, a local representative of the King.
How long does the process take?
The person submitting a nomination will, of course, be given confirmation from the Cabinet Office that their nomination has been received. They may also be asked to supply additional information to support their nomination.
As you can imagine, lengthy consideration is required and implemented to ensure that the honour bestowed celebrates only truly exceptional individuals. Therefore, this process can take between 12 and 24 months to finalise – sometimes longer.
When are honour recipients notified?
If your nomination is successful, the individual you have nominated will be selected to receive a Royal Honour and will be sent a formal email or letter, as well as a response form. This offer extension is under embargo, if accepted by the recipient, and strictly confidential until it has been published in an Honours list.
Individuals will need to complete and return the form, indicating their acceptance, before the state deadline in order to receive their honour.
Official announcements
Honours lists are the official announcements of the individuals who have been celebrated by these awards. These lists are published twice a year in The Gazette, in December for the New Year and on the King’s official birthday in June.
This official announcement will detail the successful nominee’s full name and the reason why they’re receiving their honour.
Investiture ceremony
Once the successful nominee has accepted the award and it has been officially announced, they will be invited to attend an Investiture.
An Investiture is a formal ceremony in which the recipient of a Royal Honour receives their insignia medal in person from the King or another senior member of the Royal Family.
These ceremonies take place at a royal residence, typically either Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle or the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and are attended by the recipient’s family and/or close friends.
Queen Elizabeth II always placed a lot of importance on investiture ceremonies, as she “knew how much they were valued by the recipients”, according to The Gazette, which King Charles III has continued to uphold.
The future
As we look to the future, the honours system continues to evolve, with an emphasis on philanthropy, which was first established by Queen Elizabeth II. These titles will also advance in relation to diversity and inclusion, better reflecting the rich and varied tapestry of modern British society.
Nominating with Awards Intelligence
Anyone can be nominated for a Royal Honour, but only outstanding people receive this prestigious accolade. Our dedicated and specialised experts go to great lengths to support and strengthen your nomination. On average, we spend over 150 hours researching and drafting your nomination to ensure that it is as compelling as possible.
Our consultants have many years of experience in working with candidates for Royal Honours, making Awards Intelligence the best place you can go for guidance in making sure your nominee is recognised and celebrated for their achievements.
Get in touch with us today to find out more about our services and how you can get started.