These prestigious awards mark not just their accomplishments, but the promise of even greater contributions to come.
In this article, we share some of the youngest recipients for MBEs and OBEs, what they’ve accomplished to be recognised with this accolade, and how Awards Intelligence can support you in nominating an exceptional individual in your own life.
Younger MBE & OBE Recipients
Younger recipients of MBEs and OBEs are often spotlighted, as they represent a truly outstanding showcase of young talent and our country’s exciting future. These highly respected awards celebrate the next generation of innovators and leaders across Britain’s arts, cultural, sporting, and academic spheres.
Should young people receive Royal Honours?
There is much debate around whether younger people deserve to receive such an honour so early in their lives, when it could be said that they have so much more to achieve. This debate is especially relevant when we’re considering individuals under the age of 20 for an MBE or OBE award, as their efforts have only just begun.
However, the Honours Committee is incredibly rigorous in its decision-making. Only the most outstanding individuals are rewarded with such a title and therefore are truly worthy of the honour.
Ellie Simmonds – Youngest MBE at 14 years old
Ellie Simmonds made history as the youngest-ever MBE recipient in February 2009. According to the Guinness World Records, she was just 13.
Simmonds has since been promoted to an OBE in 2013 when she was 19 years old.
Born with a form of dwarfism called achondroplasia, Ellie has been awarded for her ‘services to disabled sport’.
Ellie Simmonds was just 13 when she became the second youngest British Paralympic athlete to win a medal. Throughout her career, she has won 19 Paralympic and World Championship gold medals, which is a truly outstanding achievement, one that was deemed deserving of recognition from the honours system.
Simmonds has always been an advocate for equality in sport, inspiring an entire generation of both able-bodied and disabled athletes to realise their sporting dreams, despite the adversity they may face. She is a patron of the UK Dwarf Sports Association and an ambassador for WaterAid and the Scouts.
Leveraging her natural ability to uplift and inspire young people in sports, Ellie Simmonds truly demonstrated why she deserved this prestigious accolade.
Andy Murray – OBE at 26 years old
At just 26, Andy Murray was awarded his first honour. An OBE bestowed by Prince William in his first investiture.
This was in recognition of his services to tennis, after becoming a champion at the US Open. During this time, he also put a stop to the 77-year wait for a British Wimbledon champion, which was a memorable and historic win, as well as achieving gold at the London Olympics.
According to the BBC, Sir Andy Murray went on to later receive a knighthood for his services to tennis and charity. A dedicated Unicef UK ambassador, Murray was also commended on his second Wimbledon win and second Olympic gold.
Amika George – MBE at 21 years old
Aged just 21, Amika George was the youngest individual to receive an honour in the year 2021. George was recognised for services to education through her campaign against period poverty, which aimed to provide schoolgirls with free period products.
Her journey began when she was 17. She discovered that some young girls miss out on school due to their menstrual cycle, but do not have the necessary products to manage it. She was “shocked it was something that anyone had to face in the UK”, according to the Guernsey Press. Reportedly, 1 in 10 girls can’t afford to buy menstrual products, which escalated during the lockdowns during COVID-19.
Amika George’s work has impacted so many young women and girls, and has gone and long way to close the educational gap around menstruation.
Chris Preddie – OBE at 24 years old
Chris Preddie is another notable individual who received an honour. In 2012 he was recognised for his outstanding services to youth work. Radiating an “aura of positivity”, Chris Preddie has been transforming the lives of vulnerable young individuals since he was 17.
According to the Guardian, in 2008, Preddie became the first “community champion” for the charity Crimestoppers, attending schools and other youth venues and running presentations and workshops to inspire and encourage children to make the right choices.
Preddie had a complex upbringing, with a family history of violence, making his move to supporting young people in his community even more commendable.
Recognise excellence with Awards Intelligence
All of the young people mentioned have proven themselves to be truly worthy of being recognised with an MBE or OBE award. Inspiring others and making the world a better place are two key components of what makes a Royal Honour candidate.
Nominate someone you admire today, or work with Awards Intelligence on crafting your own submission. We work with you to ensure that your nomination is as compelling as possible, giving you or your nominee the best possible chance of being recognised for your achievements.
Contact one of our expert consultants today to find out more about how we support you throughout the process.