Knighthoods and damehoods naturally attract the most headlines, but many OBEs that have been awarded to community heroes, sporting greats and outstanding actors fly under the radar.
So, who has an OBE? And what defines this level of royal honour?
The truth is that an OBE is awarded to far more than household-name celebrities. Every year, people with OBEs include community campaigners, youth workers, charity leaders and diversity champions, recognised for contributions that extend well beyond personal success.
In this article, we’ll cover what an OBE is, spotlight a selection of notable recipients, from film and theatre to justice and sport, and explain the common themes that tend to make someone worthy of this honour.
What is an OBE, and Whom Does it Recognise?
An OBE stands for Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
It is defined as recognising distinguished achievements or services on a regional or national level in any role or field. This could be through the arts, sport, charity, education, industry, community leadership or public service.
OBE announcements appear in the New Year Honours and the King’s Birthday Honours lists, and recipients later attend an investiture ceremony where their insignia is presented.
One important point to clarify is that an OBE doesn’t make someone ‘Sir’ or ‘Dame’. Those titles are reserved for people who have been honoured with Knighthoods and Damehoods. However, people with OBEs will be able to list these symbolic letters after their name.
Who Has an OBE? Standout Profiles
Below are a few standout examples of people with OBEs across drama, sport, community impact and campaigning, with a mix of recognisable names and ‘quiet heroes’ who show what the British Honours System is really about.
Keira Knightley
Esteemed actress Keira Knightley received her OBE at Buckingham Palace in 2018. Most recognised for her roles in Pride & Prejudice, Love Actually and Pirates of the Caribbean, Knightley has been honoured for her work in both drama and her charitable partnerships, including WaterAid and Oxfam.
What her example demonstrates is a common pattern in honours: sustained excellence in a field (in Knightley’s case, film) combined with credible charitable commitment that isn’t a one-off headline.
Jim Carter
Best known as the beloved Mr Carson in Downton Abbey, Jim Carter was awarded an OBE for services to drama in 2019. He has also had a vibrant career on stage and the silver screen, including appearances in Shakespeare in Love, My Week with Marilyn and The Golden Compass.
His longevity and committed contribution to British drama are truly worthy of such an award.
Eddie Redmayne
Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne was awarded an OBE for services to drama in 2016.
Following award-winning performances, including his Oscar-winning role in The Theory of Everything, Redmayne’s OBE reflects the broader contribution and standing he has built in British drama.
Redmayne’s story highlights that honours aren’t awarded for purely one role; they’re awarded based on the overall contribution and platform someone has built, typically over the course of their career.
Ewan McGregor
Appointed an OBE in 2013 for his services to drama and charity, Ewan McGregor has been recognised for his awe-inspiring achievements both in and out of his day job.
His charity work includes long-standing involvement with UNICEF UK, which he has supported since 2004 following his around-the-world motorcycle tour of a number of their projects, including Ukraine, Mongolia and Kazakhstan.
Naomie Harris
Actress Naomie Harris was honoured by Queen Elizabeth II at her investiture in 2017, receiving an OBE for her services to drama.
Her story resonates with so many and goes to show that receiving a royal honour isn’t just about nationwide success; it’s about the representation of people whose voices have previously been less visible.
David Oyelowo
David Oyelowo was appointed an OBE in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to drama. But what makes his profile especially compelling is how he has paired artistic achievement with purposeful philanthropic work.
Oyelowo has been closely associated with the GEANCO Foundation and has helped establish and support a leadership scholarship focused on funding education and rehabilitation for girls affected by terrorism in Nigeria.
This is a textbook example of how “OBE-worthy” impact is often demonstrated: credible leadership, long-term commitment, and clear public benefit.
Sport, Youth Work and Justice: People with OBEs Beyond the Red Carpet
Andy Murray
At just 26, Andy Murray received his OBE from Prince William during the Duke of Cambridge’s first investiture ceremony in 2013. Murray later received a knighthood for his services to tennis and charity, which we’ll return to shortly.
Chris Preddie
Chris Preddie was recognised with an OBE for his youth work and efforts to reduce crime, with official honours coverage noting his work with youth groups and involvement with Crimestoppers. His inclusion is an important reminder: many honours go to people whose names aren’t widely known, but whose impact is deep and direct.
Post Office Horizon campaigners
In the wake of the Horizon scandal, described by the BBC as a miscarriage of justice, several former sub-postmasters and campaigners have been recognised with OBEs for their services to justice, including Lee Castleton, Seema Misra, Chris Head and Jo Hamilton.
Betty Brown
Betty Brown, believed to be the oldest living victim of the Horizon scandal, was awarded an OBE for her role in campaigning for justice and ensuring the victims are not forgotten.
Deta Hedman
Darts champion Deta Hedman has been honoured as an OBE for services to darts and charity, with reporting around her investiture capturing how emotional and proud the moment was after a lifetime in the sport.
Alistair Brownlee
Double Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee received an OBE for services to triathlon and charity, showing how honours recognise both elite performance and giving back.
People with OBEs Who Later Received a Knighthood or Damehood
Some recipients go on to receive higher honours later, particularly when their contribution expands over time:
- Dame Judi Dench: Appointed OBE in 1970. Dame Dench later became a Dame in 1988, and then went on to receive the Companion of Honour in 2005.
- Sir Patrick Stewart: Best known for his starring role in Star Trek, Sir Stewart received his OBE in 2001, then his knighthood in 2010.
- Sir Andy Murray: Became one of the youngest people to receive an OBE in 2013. He was later knighted for services to tennis and charity, announced in the 2017 New Year Honours.
- Sir David Beckham: Former footballer was awarded his OBE in 2003, and was later knighted for services to sport and charity in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours list.
What Makes Someone OBE-Worthy?
When you look at who has an OBE, the consistent thread isn’t how famous they are… It’s all about impact. In practice, honours-worthy contributions tend to show one or more of these themes:
- Sustained contribution over longer periods of time
- Service beyond the day job (charity leadership, advocacy, mentoring, community work)
- Reach and influence (benefiting others outside one organisation or one audience)
- Credible evidence, including:
- Measurable outcomes
- Independent recognition
- Strong supporting letters
This is why the strongest nominations read less like a biography and more like a clear, evidence-led case for public benefit.
Need Help with an Honours Nomination?
Putting together a strong OBE nomination is often less about having the ‘perfect’ story and more about presenting the evidence clearly, credibly and in the right structure.
If you’re considering nominating someone, our team at Awards Intelligence can help you craft a nomination that reflects the standards and structure used across the British Honours System. We support our clients by:
- Identifying the most honours-relevant achievements and outcomes
- Organising evidence into a compelling, assessor-friendly narrative
- Strengthening supporting evidence (who to ask, what to include)
- Polishing tone and language so the contribution is clear, credible and proportional
Get in touch with a member of our team today to discover more about our services and how you can stand out when it comes to being recognised for a royal honour.