London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Jul 30, 2025

Queen’s Jubilee birthday honours: Damian Lewis, Stella McCartney and Clare Balding on list

Queen’s Jubilee birthday honours: Damian Lewis, Stella McCartney and Clare Balding on list

Actor Damian Lewis has been made a CBE, former Northern Ireland first minister Arlene Foster a dame and crime writer Ian Rankin has been knighted on the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

Broadcaster Clare Balding and designer Stella McCartney also become CBEs.

And illustrator Sir Quentin Blake and author Sir Salman Rushdie join the elite Companions of Honour.

The honours usually coincide with the Queen's birthday but this year also mark the 70th anniversary of her reign.

They have been announced on the eve of the Platinum Jubilee weekend and come two weeks ahead of her official birthday.

The oldest recipient is Angela Redgrave, 104, the founder and principal of the Bristol School of Dancing. Like the Queen, she has dedicated 70 years to public service. She gets a British Empire Medal (BEM).

The same award is given to the youngest people getting honours - 11-year-old twins Elena and Ruben Evans-Guillen from Warrington, who have raised nearly £50,000 for NHS charities over the past three years. The BEM is for "hands-on" service to a local community.

There are a total of 1,134 people on the list issued by the Cabinet Office. A record proportion of recipients - 51.5% - are women, slightly higher than the previous record of 51.2% set in 2015.

More than 100 medical staff and charity workers have been recognised for their work during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Masterchef hosts John Torode and Gregg Wallace, singer Bonnie Tyler and footballer Rio Ferdinand are also recognised, with Team GB's Olympic gold medal-winning women's curling team among the sporting stars honoured.

Sir Quentin, perhaps best known for his illustrations of Roald Dahl's children's books, said it was "an enormous privilege" to join the Companions of Honour - membership is limited to 65 people.

The 89-year-old said: "It is also of special interest to me because it is not, unlike so many awards, just a medal that is pinned on you."

Sir Quentin Blake said the award was a privilege


Sir Salman, 74, who joins the likes of Dame Judi Dench and Sir David Attenborough among the 65 members, said: "It's a privilege to be included in such illustrious company, both past and present."

Dame Arlene, former leader of the DUP and the first woman appointed first minister in Northern Ireland, said being made a dame was "an honour for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, the place which I love and which I represented for 18 years, and indeed for the whole of Northern Ireland".

Award-winning Scottish author Sir Ian is perhaps best known for his Detective Inspector Rebus books, set in and around Edinburgh.

He said it was "amazing to be honoured in this way", adding: "It may not make writing my next book any easier but it is gratifying to be recognised both for my crime novels and the work I do for charity.

"I'm not sure what Detective Inspector John Rebus would make of it - he'd almost certainly tell me not to get too big-headed. I'll do my best, while pouring a glass of something refreshing."


Lewis's CBE is partly for his services to drama - but also recognises his charity work.

Along with his late wife, the actress Helen McCrory, he launched Feed NHS - a campaign to raise £1m for meals for NHS workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Homeland, Band of Brothers and Billions actor had been made an OBE in 2014.

Lewis said it was a "great honour" to have been awarded a CBE for his acting and charity work, adding that he was "thrilled".

Masterchef hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode become MBEs.

John Torode and Gregg Wallace present BBC One's Masterchef and its various spin-off shows


Australian chef Torode said he was thrilled and humbled.

Wallace, who began his career in the Covent Garden fruit and vegetable market, said: "From a council estate in Peckham to being recognised by the Queen is for me something akin to a fairy tale story. I am incredibly, incredibly proud."

Also in the world of food, US-born chef Ken Hom becomes an honorary CBE on the Foreign Office's list.

Sports presenter Balding said she saw her "prestigious honour" as "a reflection of how much people care about sport".

"There is still a long way to go in the promotion of women's sport and Paralympic sport and I want to keep spreading the message that we can learn so much from the way athletes recover from setbacks, maintain their patience and work together in a team," she said.

The curling team with their gold medals. Left to right: Mili Smith, Hailey Duff, Jennifer Dodds, Vicky Wright and Eve Muirhead


The five members of the women's curling squad that won Team GB its only gold of the Winter Olympic Games in February all receive honours.

Skip Eve Muirhead is made an OBE while teammates Jennifer Dodds, Hailey Duff, Mili Smith and Vicky Wright all become MBEs, alongside coach David Murdoch.

Gareth Bale, James Milner and Rio Ferdinand are three well-known figures from football being honoured


Also in the world of sport, ex-Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand - who set up a youth and community development charity - is made an OBE.

Welsh international Gareth Bale - who has just left Real Madrid - is made an MBE for services to football and charity, as is Liverpool midfielder James Milner.

Cricketer Moeen Ali, who is made an OBE, said it was an honour, adding: "More than anything, I know it makes my parents happy."

Former world snooker champions Mark Selby and Judd Trump have each been made an MBE for services to the sport and charity.

Judd Trump and Moeen Ali receive awards in the list


Beijing Paralympic super-G skier Neil Simpson and his guide and brother, Andrew Simpson, are made MBEs after winning gold. Neil and Lora Fachie, a married couple who won para-cycling golds in Tokyo last summer, each become an OBE.

Army officer Captain Harpreet Kaur Chandi, thought to be the first woman of colour to complete a solo and unsupported expedition across Antarctica, becomes an MBE.

She said: "It feels incredible. I didn't think someone like me could get this. I'm honoured."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the honours conferred by the Queen reflected "many of the qualities" she possesses, and were for people "from all different walks of life" who helped communities across the UK.

Dame Deborah James was given a damehood in May and does not appear on the list as her title was bestowed outside of the usual twice-yearly system for honours, which can be done in exceptional circumstances.


What is the honours system?


*  It recognises people who have "made achievements in public life" and "committed themselves to serving and helping Britain"

*  Any member of the public - or an official body - can nominate someone for an honour

*  They are used to thank volunteers, entrepreneurs, innovators, those who display "moral courage", people who make a difference in their community and those who help improve others' lives

*  Honours are usually announced twice a year, at new year and for the Queen's official birthday

There are knighthoods for Victoria and Albert Museum chairman Nicholas Coleridge and artist and filmmaker Isaac Julien.

NHS England national medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis also receives a knighthood, while chief nursing officer Ruth May has been made a dame. Irish epidemiologist Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser for the UK Health Security Agency, is made an honorary CBE.

They all became familiar faces to the public after appearing at the Downing Street coronavirus briefings.

Nia Griffith, Arlene Foster and Maria Miller are all made dames


Among the honours for political service, Tory MP Jeremy Wright, the former attorney general who this week joined calls for the prime minister to quit, and Labour MP Stephen Timms, a former Treasury chief secretary, are knighted. Labour MP Nia Griffith and Conservative MP Maria Miller, a former culture secretary, are made dames.

Former sports minister Tracey Crouch is made a CBE for her work on a fan-led review into football.

Writer Dame Marina Warner is the third Companion of Honour named on the list.

Nuclear scientist and engineering expert Dame Susan Ion receives a Dame Grand Cross, in part for her work helping encourage people from under-represented groups into engineering.

Ann Limb, the first female and openly gay chair of the Scouts, is made a dame - and said it was "huge" for young people to see leaders from LGBTQ+ communities.

And six UK government officials who worked on evacuations from Afghanistan prompted by the Taliban takeover last year also make the honours list.

Bonnie Tyler said she hoped her award could inspire others


There are awards for Birds of a Feather actress Pauline Quirke and Total Eclipse of the Heart singer Bonnie Tyler - who both become MBEs.

Tyler said she was "truly honoured" and added she was "just a girl from a small town in Wales who just loves to sing".

"I hope that my honour may in some small way motivate others to give their best, you really never know what wonderful things may come to you if you do," she said.

Writers Salman Rushdie, Joanne Harris and Ian Rankin are named on this year's birthday honours list


Elsewhere in the arts, author Joanne Harris becomes an OBE for services to literature, while the same honour goes to screenwriter and playwright Heidi Thomas, who adapted Call the Midwife from the original books.

She said her medal would be going "straight on the mantelpiece" in Nonnatus House, the fictional convent in her hit TV show.

Coronation Street stars Antony Cotton and Helen Worth both get honours


Coronation Street actor Antony Cotton is made an MBE for his charity work with the armed forces, which he became involved in when friends were serving in Afghanistan.

His co-star Helen Worth - who has played the role of Gail Platt in the ITV soap since 1974 - is also made an MBE.


The honours system


Commonly awarded ranks:

*  Companion of Honour - Limited to 65 people. Recipients wear the initials CH after their name

*  Knight or Dame

*  CBE - Commander of the Order of the British Empire

*  OBE - Officer of the Order of the British Empire

*  MBE - Member of the Order of the British Empire

*  BEM - British Empire Medal

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
Epstein Files Deepen Republican Party Divide
Zuckerberg Faces $8 Billion Privacy Lawsuit From Meta Shareholders
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
SpaceX Nears $400 Billion Valuation With New Share Sale
Microsoft, US Lab to Use AI for Faster Nuclear Plant Licensing
Trump Walks Back Talk of Firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell
×