The second New Years’ Honours list in the reign of Charles III has been released.
In total, there are 1,227 recipients on the list, comprising individuals recognised for being dedicated community champions, role models in sport, pioneers in the arts, passionate health workers, and supporters of young people. There are also a number of honours for services performed for the Monarchy including at the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
An OBE award – the middle rank of the honours (Marcusjb1973)
Recipients are selected by independent committees from nominations that are sent to them, with those chosen then formally approved by the Prime Minister and The King. Anyone can nominate or be nominated. Learn more about the specifics of the British Honours System here.
588 women are recognised in the List, representing 48% of the total honours list, which is down 2% on last year.
Recipients include:
Tony Hudgell, who the youngest recipient to receive an honour at the age of nine, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the prevention of child abuse.
The King’s 2024 New Year Honour List has been revealed. (Royal Family)
He has raised over £1.8 million for the hospital that saved his life after he suffered horrific abuse as a baby. Along with his adoptive mother, he founded the Tony Hudgell Foundation in 2021 to support and help vulnerable children, and has also inspired a change in the law change to increase prison sentences for those convicted of child cruelty and neglect. Tony has met The Princess of Wales on a number of occasions, including at the 2021 Together at Christmas Carol Service.
Tony told Sky News that the medal ‘meant a lot’ to him, before sweetly asking: ‘Will it be heavy or not?’
Footballer Mary Earps has been awarded an MBE – Member of the Order of the British Empire – for services to Football. She is as goalkeeper for Manchester United in the Women’s Super League and for the England national team. She is now officially the world’s best female goalkeeper.
Michael Eavis, who is the founder and leader of Glastonbury Festival, has been recognised with a knighthood for services to music and charity. Glastonbury Festival contributes more than £2 million to charities and good causes every festival year.
Diana Parkes, the mother of Joanna Simpson and co-founder of the Joanna Simpson Foundation, has received a CBE for her services to vulnerable children suffering from domestic abuse and domestic homicide. Diana inspired Queen Camilla to make domestic violence a key theme of her royal work, as revealed in a special edition of Woman’s Hour in 2022. Her daughter, Joanna Simpson, was killed by her husband, Robert Brown in 2010.
Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, Joanna’s close friend, co-founder of the Joanna Simpson Foundation and Chair of the charity Refuge, has been given the same honour for her services to people affected by domestic abuse and homicide.
Diana said: ‘I feel incredibly privileged to be receiving a CBE. This news has come as a huge surprise and I am obviously highly delighted. Whilst this honour is an occasion to celebrate, it is bittersweet as this would not have been possible had my daughter, Jo, not been brutally killed by her estranged husband. With this honour I vow to continue to raise awareness about the impact of Domestic Violence and Homicide on children as well as violence against women.’
Diana Parkes & the then-Duchess of Cornwall recording an episode of Woman’s Hour. (Woman’s Hour/Twitter)
Dame Shirley Bassey DBE becomes the 64th living member of the Order of the Companion of Honour in recognition of her services to music. This is in recognition of her career which has seen her sell more than 135 million records.
Author Jilly Cooper has become a Dame for services to Literature and charity. Speaking about her honour, she said: ‘I am absolutely and incredibly bowled over. I cannot believe I am a DBE, which in my case also stands for delighted, bewildered and ecstatic.’
Actor Emilia Clarke has been made an MBE alongside her mother Jenny. The pair are co-founders of SameYou, a brain injury recovery charity established after the star survived two brain haemorrhages in 2011 and 2013. Following her surgery, Emilia was shocked by the lack of after-care support available and set up the charity.
Director and producer Ridley Scott, whose well-known films include Gladiator, Alien and Napoleon, has been made a Knight Grand Cross, upgrading up on his previous knighthood. He has received the honour for services to the UK Film Industry.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has been made a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order for his personal service to the crown during the Coronation in May. These awards are in The King’s gift and are bestowed independently of Downing Street to people who have served the Monarch or the Royal Family in a personal way.
The Archbishop said that he was ‘delighted to receive this award from His Majesty. It was a great honour and privilege to conduct the Coronation. This award reflects the efforts of the amazing team behind the service and I am deeply grateful for their many hours of hard work.’
Camilla is crowned (Justin Welby)
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: ‘The New Year Honours List recognises the exceptional achievements of people across the country and those who have shown the highest commitment to selflessness and compassion. To all honourees, you are the pride of this country and an inspiration to us all.’
Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon. Oliver Dowden CBE MP, said: ‘This year’s New Year Honours List celebrates the most selfless, compassionate people in the UK. I send them all my warmest congratulations for what they have achieved. Our historic honours system exists to recognise these people and shine a light on their heroic contributions and achievements. I hope that the inspiring stories from across the whole of the UK encourage more people to nominate others for an honour in future.’
