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As the New Year Honors list is revealed, celebrating outstanding contributions to British society, questions inevitably arise.
Who accurately determines these honors, and what are the criteria that define this recognition?
We delve into the complex mechanics of the British honors system.
What’s the use of honor?
Since the Middle Ages, monarchs have bestowed honors as part of the Order of Chivalry.
In recent years, the UK’s honors system has recognized people for their “achievements in public life” and their “commitment to serving and helping the UK”.
It honors long-term volunteers, innovators, entrepreneurs, individuals who have shown “moral courage,” those who have made a difference in the community or at work, or who have improved the lives of those who cannot help themselves.
Honors are awarded to individuals across a range of fields including sport, health, science and technology, education, business, arts and media.
Gallantry Awards, which recognize acts of bravery, may also be awarded to armed forces and emergency services personnel, as well as civilians.
How does one get an honorable mention?
Any public or official body can nominate someone for the honor.
British nationals are eligible for nomination, as are citizens of the 15 Commonwealth “kingdoms” where the king is head of state.
People living or working overseas, whose achievements were achieved in another country or in the UK and have a significant international element, may also be nominated.
Nominations will be submitted to the Honors and Appointments Secretariat of the Cabinet Office, which oversees the Honors System.
Non-citizens of UK or Commonwealth countries may also be considered for the Honors award.
Who approves nominations?
Consideration of nominations may take 12 to 18 months.
The suitability of nominees submitted to the Secretariat of Honors and Appointments is determined through examinations of “merits” and “honesty and decency.”
To avoid bringing the system into “disrepute”, this review process may involve the involvement of government departments, regulators, professional organisations, HMRC and the Criminal Records Office in Akuro.
Nominations are considered by a panel of 10 independent honors committees, each covering professional subject areas such as physical education or health.
The recommendations of these panels of independent experts and senior civil servants will be presented to the Prime Minister and ultimately to the King for approval.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) oversees the Foreign Service and overseas lists.
When will the honors be announced?
Twice a year – New Year’s and the King’s official birthday in June.
The lists are published in the Gazette, the royal official newspaper.
Once all recipients have been identified and inspected, the Order’s Central Office at St. James’s Palace arranges a ceremony to confer the Order.
These ceremonies are held around 30 times a year at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, and are hosted by senior members of the royal family.
What types of honors are there?
Lists often include appointments to Knights and Dames, Orders of the British Empire and the Order of Valor.
The highest levels of the Order of the British Empire are Knight Grand Cross (GBE) and Knight Commander (KBE or DBE).
These grades allow for the title “Sir” for men and “Lady” for women, and are awarded to those who have made significant contributions in any field, usually at the national level.
The ranks of the Order, after Sir or Dame, are Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE) and Member (MBE).
Other honors include:
– Medal of Honor (CH) – This honor recognizes long-term and significant contributions to the arts, sciences, medicine, or government. Limited to 65 people at any time.
– British Empire Medal (BEM) – The BEM evolved from the medals associated with the creation of the Order of the British Empire and was designed to recognize service that has made a significant contribution to the local community.
Recipients of the honor are appointed to one of the various orders of knighthood, most of which are appointed to the Order of the British Empire.
Other orders include the Royal Victorian Order (RVO), which is personally appointed by the King for those serving the British monarch.
The Order of the Bath is available to senior civil servants and military officers, while the Order of St. Michael and St. George recognizes service in foreign countries or in connection with foreign and federal affairs.
The Royal Red Cross (RRC), King’s Police Medal (KPM), King’s Fire Service Medal (KFSM) and King’s Ambulance Service Medal (KAM) recognize the services of nurses, police officers, firefighters and ambulance service personnel respectively.