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Order of the British Empire

Updated: Wikipedia source

Order of the British Empire

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two of which make the recipient either a knight if male or a dame if female. There is also the related British Empire Medal, whose recipients are affiliated with the order, but are not members of it. The order was established on 4 June 1917 by King George V, who created the order to recognise "such persons, male or female, as may have rendered or shall hereafter render important services to Our Empire". Equal recognition was to be given for services rendered in the UK and overseas. The order was retained after the decline of the British Empire in the second half of the 20th century. Today, the majority of recipients are UK citizens, though a number of Commonwealth realms outside the UK continue to make appointments to the order. Honorary awards may be made to citizens of other nations of which the order's sovereign is not the head of state.

Infobox

Type
Order of chivalry
Established
1917
Motto
"For God and the Empire"
Eligibility
British nationals, citizens of the Commonwealth realms, or anyone who has made a significant achievement for the United Kingdom
Awarded for
Prominent national or regional achievements
Status
Currently constituted
Sovereign
Charles III
Grand Master
Queen Camilla
Grades
mw- Knight/Dame Grand Cross (GBE) Knight/Dame Commander (KBE/DBE) Commander (CBE) Officer (OBE) Member (MBE)
Former grades
Medal of the Order for Gallantry
Next (higher)
Royal Victorian Order
Next (lower)
Varies, depending on rank

Tables

· Composition › Sovereign and Grand Master
Took office
Took office
No.
Took office
1
1
No.
1
Grand Master(Born–died)
Edward, Prince of Wales(1894–1972)
Term of office
4 June 1917
Term of office
20 January 1936
2
2
No.
2
Grand Master(Born–died)
Queen Mary(1867–1953)
Term of office
27 March 1936
Term of office
24 March 1953
3
3
No.
3
Grand Master(Born–died)
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh(1921–2021)
Term of office
1 June 1953 (1953-06-01)
Term of office
9 April 2021 (2021-04-09)
4
4
No.
4
Grand Master(Born–died)
Queen Camilla (1947–present)
Term of office
23 April 2024 (2024-04-23)
Term of office
present
No.
Portrait
Grand Master(Born–died)
Term of office
Took office
Left office
1
Edward, Prince of Wales(1894–1972)
4 June 1917
20 January 1936
2
Queen Mary(1867–1953)
27 March 1936
24 March 1953
3
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh(1921–2021)
1 June 1953 (1953-06-01)
9 April 2021 (2021-04-09)
4
Queen Camilla (1947–present)
23 April 2024 (2024-04-23)
present
Order of the British Empire ribbon bars · Insignia › Mantles and collars
1917–1935
1917–1935
Col 1
1917–1935
Civil
Military
Since 1936
Since 1936
Col 1
Since 1936
Civil
Military
Civil
Military
1917–1935
Since 1936
· Current Knights and Dames Grand Cross › Sovereign and Grand Master
Charles III (ex officio)
Charles III (ex officio)
Name
Charles III (ex officio)
Year of appointment
Sovereign since 2022
Present age
77
Queen Camilla LG, LT, ONZ, GCVO, GBE, CSM, CD, PC
Queen Camilla LG, LT, ONZ, GCVO, GBE, CSM, CD, PC
Name
Queen Camilla LG, LT, ONZ, GCVO, GBE, CSM, CD, PC
Year of appointment
2024
Present age
78
Name
Year of appointment
Present age
Charles III (ex officio)
Sovereign since 2022
77
Queen Camilla LG, LT, ONZ, GCVO, GBE, CSM, CD, PC
2024
78
· Current Knights and Dames Grand Cross › Knights and Dames Grand Cross
Sir Christopher Leaver GBE, KStJ, JP
Sir Christopher Leaver GBE, KStJ, JP
Name
Sir Christopher Leaver GBE, KStJ, JP
Known for
Lord Mayor of London
Year of appointment
1981
Present age
88
1982
1982
Military rank (if any)
Sir Anthony Jolliffe GBE, KStJ, DL
Name
1982
Known for
87
1990
1990
Military rank (if any)
Sir Alexander Graham GBE
Name
1990
Known for
87
Sir Patrick Hine GCB, GBE
Sir Patrick Hine GCB, GBE
Military rank (if any)
Air Chief Marshal
Name
Sir Patrick Hine GCB, GBE
Known for
Joint Commander British Forces Gulf War
Year of appointment
1991
Present age
93
Sir Bill Wratten GBE, CB, AFC
Sir Bill Wratten GBE, CB, AFC
Military rank (if any)
Air Chief Marshal
Name
Sir Bill Wratten GBE, CB, AFC
Known for
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief RAF Strike Command
Year of appointment
1998
Present age
86
Sir Stephen Brown GBE, PC
Sir Stephen Brown GBE, PC
Name
Sir Stephen Brown GBE, PC
Known for
President of the Family Division
Year of appointment
1999
Present age
101
Sir Anthony Bagnall GBE, KCB, FRAeS
Sir Anthony Bagnall GBE, KCB, FRAeS
Military rank (if any)
Air Chief Marshal
Name
Sir Anthony Bagnall GBE, KCB, FRAeS
Known for
Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff
Year of appointment
2002
Present age
80
Sir Michael Perry GBE, FRSA
Sir Michael Perry GBE, FRSA
Name
Sir Michael Perry GBE, FRSA
Known for
Chairman of the Senior Salaries Review Body
Year of appointment
91
Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland
Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland
Military rank (if any)
Sir Ronnie Flanagan GBE, QPM
Name
Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland
Known for
76
President of the Family Division
President of the Family Division
Military rank (if any)
Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, Baroness Butler-Sloss GBE, PC
Name
President of the Family Division
Known for
2005
Year of appointment
92
Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman GBE, KCB
Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman GBE, KCB
Military rank (if any)
General
Name
Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman GBE, KCB
Known for
Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff
Year of appointment
2011
Present age
78
Mervyn King, Baron King of Lothbury KG, GBE, DL, FBA
Mervyn King, Baron King of Lothbury KG, GBE, DL, FBA
Name
Mervyn King, Baron King of Lothbury KG, GBE, DL, FBA
Known for
Governor of the Bank of England
Year of appointment
77
President of the Royal Academy of Engineering
President of the Royal Academy of Engineering
Military rank (if any)
Sir John Parker GBE, FREng
Name
President of the Royal Academy of Engineering
Known for
2012
Year of appointment
83
Lord Speaker
Lord Speaker
Military rank (if any)
Helene Hayman, Baroness Hayman GBE, PC
Name
Lord Speaker
Known for
76
Deputy Chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Deputy Chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Military rank (if any)
Sir Keith Mills GBE, DL
Name
Deputy Chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Known for
2013
Year of appointment
75
President of the Office for Strategic Coordination of Health Research
President of the Office for Strategic Coordination of Health Research
Military rank (if any)
Sir John Bell GBE, CH, FRS, FMedSci
Name
President of the Office for Strategic Coordination of Health Research
Known for
2015
Year of appointment
73
Stuart Peach, Baron Peach KG, GBE, KCB, DL
Stuart Peach, Baron Peach KG, GBE, KCB, DL
Military rank (if any)
Air Chief Marshal
Name
Stuart Peach, Baron Peach KG, GBE, KCB, DL
Known for
Chief of the Defence Staff and Chair of the NATO Military Committee
Year of appointment
2016
Present age
69
Sir Ian Wood KT, GBE
Sir Ian Wood KT, GBE
Name
Sir Ian Wood KT, GBE
Known for
Businessman and philanthropist
Year of appointment
83
Paediatric nephrologist
Paediatric nephrologist
Military rank (if any)
Sir Cyril Chantler GBE, FRCP, FRCPCH, FMedSci
Name
Paediatric nephrologist
Known for
2017
Year of appointment
86
Regius Professor of Physic at the University of Cambridge
Regius Professor of Physic at the University of Cambridge
Military rank (if any)
Sir Keith Peters GBE FRS FMedSci FRCP FRCPE FRCPath FLSW
Name
Regius Professor of Physic at the University of Cambridge
Known for
2018
Year of appointment
87
President of the World Anti-Doping Agency and Chairman of the British Olympic Association
President of the World Anti-Doping Agency and Chairman of the British Olympic Association
Military rank (if any)
Sir Craig Reedie GBE
Name
President of the World Anti-Doping Agency and Chairman of the British Olympic Association
Known for
84
Judge of the International Court of Justice
Judge of the International Court of Justice
Military rank (if any)
Sir Christopher Greenwood GBE, CMG, KC
Name
Judge of the International Court of Justice
Known for
70
President of the International Court of Justice
President of the International Court of Justice
Military rank (if any)
Rosalyn Higgins, Baroness Higgins GBE, KC
Name
President of the International Court of Justice
Known for
88
President of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal
President of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal
Military rank (if any)
Sir Michael Burton GBE, KC
Name
President of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal
Known for
2019
Year of appointment
79
Engineer and Member of the National Academy of Engineering
Engineer and Member of the National Academy of Engineering
Military rank (if any)
Dame Sue Ion GBE, FRS, FREng, FIMMM
Name
Engineer and Member of the National Academy of Engineering
Known for
2022
Year of appointment
70
Economist and Frank Ramsey Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Cambridge
Economist and Frank Ramsey Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Cambridge
Military rank (if any)
Sir Partha Dasgupta GBE, FRS, FBA
Name
Economist and Frank Ramsey Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Cambridge
Known for
2023
Year of appointment
83
Biographer and President of Wolfson College, Oxford
Biographer and President of Wolfson College, Oxford
Military rank (if any)
Dame Hermione Lee GBE, FBA, FRSL
Name
Biographer and President of Wolfson College, Oxford
Known for
77
Politician and Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Politician and Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Military rank (if any)
Margaret Beckett, Baroness Beckett GBE, PC
Name
Politician and Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Known for
2024
Year of appointment
82
Rheumatologist and Chair of the British Library
Rheumatologist and Chair of the British Library
Military rank (if any)
Dame Carol Black GBE, FRCP
Name
Rheumatologist and Chair of the British Library
Known for
85
Chairman of World Rugby
Chairman of World Rugby
Military rank (if any)
Sir William Beaumont GBE, DL
Name
Chairman of World Rugby
Known for
73
Engineer and Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde
Engineer and Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde
Military rank (if any)
Sir James McDonald GBE, FRSE, FREng, FInstP, FIET
Name
Engineer and Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde
Known for
68
Filmmaker and director
Filmmaker and director
Military rank (if any)
Sir Ridley Scott GBE
Name
Filmmaker and director
Known for
88
Journalist, Chancellor of the University of East Anglia and Director of Audio and Music at the British Broadcast Corporation
Journalist, Chancellor of the University of East Anglia and Director of Audio and Music at the British Broadcast Corporation
Military rank (if any)
Dame Jenny Abramsky GBE
Name
Journalist, Chancellor of the University of East Anglia and Director of Audio and Music at the British Broadcast Corporation
Known for
79
Novelist
Novelist
Military rank (if any)
Dame Jacqueline Wilson GBE, FRSL
Name
Novelist
Known for
2025
Year of appointment
79
Immunologist and academic administrator
Immunologist and academic administrator
Military rank (if any)
Sir Leszek Borysiewicz GBE, DL, FRS, FRCP, FMedSci, FLSW
Name
Immunologist and academic administrator
Known for
74
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrist
Military rank (if any)
Sir Simon Wessely GBE, FRS, FMedSci
Name
Psychiatrist
Known for
68
Military rank (if any)
Name
Known for
Year of appointment
Present age
Sir Christopher Leaver GBE, KStJ, JP
Lord Mayor of London
1981
88
Sir Anthony Jolliffe GBE, KStJ, DL
1982
87
Sir Alexander Graham GBE
1990
87
Air Chief Marshal
Sir Patrick Hine GCB, GBE
Joint Commander British Forces Gulf War
1991
93
Air Chief Marshal
Sir Bill Wratten GBE, CB, AFC
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief RAF Strike Command
1998
86
Sir Stephen Brown GBE, PC
President of the Family Division
1999
101
Air Chief Marshal
Sir Anthony Bagnall GBE, KCB, FRAeS
Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff
2002
80
Sir Michael Perry GBE, FRSA
Chairman of the Senior Salaries Review Body
91
Sir Ronnie Flanagan GBE, QPM
Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland
76
Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, Baroness Butler-Sloss GBE, PC
President of the Family Division
2005
92
General
Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman GBE, KCB
Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff
2011
78
Mervyn King, Baron King of Lothbury KG, GBE, DL, FBA
Governor of the Bank of England
77
Sir John Parker GBE, FREng
President of the Royal Academy of Engineering
2012
83
Helene Hayman, Baroness Hayman GBE, PC
Lord Speaker
76
Sir Keith Mills GBE, DL
Deputy Chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
2013
75
Sir John Bell GBE, CH, FRS, FMedSci
President of the Office for Strategic Coordination of Health Research
2015
73
Air Chief Marshal
Stuart Peach, Baron Peach KG, GBE, KCB, DL
Chief of the Defence Staff and Chair of the NATO Military Committee
2016
69
Sir Ian Wood KT, GBE
Businessman and philanthropist
83
Sir Cyril Chantler GBE, FRCP, FRCPCH, FMedSci
Paediatric nephrologist
2017
86
Sir Keith Peters GBE FRS FMedSci FRCP FRCPE FRCPath FLSW
Regius Professor of Physic at the University of Cambridge
2018
87
Sir Craig Reedie GBE
President of the World Anti-Doping Agency and Chairman of the British Olympic Association
84
Sir Christopher Greenwood GBE, CMG, KC
Judge of the International Court of Justice
70
Rosalyn Higgins, Baroness Higgins GBE, KC
President of the International Court of Justice
88
Sir Michael Burton GBE, KC
President of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal
2019
79
Frederick Curzon, 7th Earl Howe GBE, PC
Deputy Leader of the House of Lords and Minister of State for Defence
2021
74
Dame Sue Ion GBE, FRS, FREng, FIMMM
Engineer and Member of the National Academy of Engineering
2022
70
Sir Partha Dasgupta GBE, FRS, FBA
Economist and Frank Ramsey Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Cambridge
2023
83
Dame Hermione Lee GBE, FBA, FRSL
Biographer and President of Wolfson College, Oxford
77
Margaret Beckett, Baroness Beckett GBE, PC
Politician and Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
2024
82
Dame Carol Black GBE, FRCP
Rheumatologist and Chair of the British Library
85
Sir William Beaumont GBE, DL
Chairman of World Rugby
73
Sir James McDonald GBE, FRSE, FREng, FInstP, FIET
Engineer and Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde
68
Sir Ridley Scott GBE
Filmmaker and director
88
Dame Jenny Abramsky GBE
Journalist, Chancellor of the University of East Anglia and Director of Audio and Music at the British Broadcast Corporation
79
Dame Jacqueline Wilson GBE, FRSL
Novelist
2025
79
Sir Leszek Borysiewicz GBE, DL, FRS, FRCP, FMedSci, FLSW
Immunologist and academic administrator
74
Sir Simon Wessely GBE, FRS, FMedSci
Psychiatrist
68
· Current Knights and Dames Grand Cross › Honorary Knights and Dames Grand Cross
Taher Masri GBE
Taher Masri GBE
Country
Jordan
Name
Taher Masri GBE
Office when appointed
28th Prime Minister of Jordan
Year of appointment
1988
Present age
83
Zsigmond Járai GBE
Zsigmond Járai GBE
Country
Hungary
Name
Zsigmond Járai GBE
Office when appointed
7th Minister of Finance of Hungary
Year of appointment
1999
Present age
73
George Mitchell GBE
George Mitchell GBE
Country
United States
Name
George Mitchell GBE
Office when appointed
8th Chancellor of the Queen's University, Belfast
Year of appointment
92
Nicola Mancino GBE
Nicola Mancino GBE
Country
Italy
Name
Nicola Mancino GBE
Office when appointed
8th Acting President of Italy
Year of appointment
2000
Present age
94
10th President of the Chamber of Deputies
10th President of the Chamber of Deputies
Country
Luciano Violante GBE
Name
10th President of the Chamber of Deputies
Office when appointed
2000
Year of appointment
84
Country
Name
Office when appointed
Year of appointment
Present age
Jordan
Taher Masri GBE
28th Prime Minister of Jordan
1988
83
Hungary
Zsigmond Járai GBE
7th Minister of Finance of Hungary
1999
73
United States
George Mitchell GBE
8th Chancellor of the Queen's University, Belfast
92
Italy
Nicola Mancino GBE
8th Acting President of Italy
2000
94
Luciano Violante GBE
10th President of the Chamber of Deputies
2000
84

References

  1. It is commonly written without "of the Most Excellent Order" and other words not implied by the post-nominals.
  2. Queen Mary, however, stipulated that the riband of a military Dame Grand Cross should not have a central grey stripe; th
  3. Use of the BEM continued elsewhere in the Commonwealth; in the UK the BEM (civil) was restored to use 2012.
  4. Whereas DBE is the lowest rank of damehood, KBE is the second-lowest rank of knighthood (above Knights Bachelor). Becaus
  5. Never surnames – thus Sir Antony Sher may be shortened to Sir Antony, but not to Sir Sher.
  6. Quote is "thousands of years", though initial attempts at starting an overseas British Empire only date back to British
  7. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-11990088
  8. The Official Website of the British Monarchy
    https://web.archive.org/web/20100327214051/http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/Honours/OrderoftheBritishEmpire.aspx
  9. The London Gazette
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30250/supplement/8791
  10. The Gazette
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/all-notices/content/100985
  11. The Gazette
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/awards-and-accreditation/content/100138
  12. The Gazette
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/awards-and-accreditation/content/103372
  13. The Gazette
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/all-notices/content/100982
  14. The London Gazette
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31084/page/15135
  15. The London Gazette
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/32781/page/9155
  16. The Gazette
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/all-notices/content/101115
  17. The Order of the British Empire
  18. The Gazette
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/all-notices/content/101117
  19. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
    https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/our-programmes/new-zealand-royal-honours/new-zealand-royal-honours-system/overview-new-zealand-royal-honours-system
  20. The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH
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  21. The Gazette
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  22. House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee
    https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmpubadm/212/212.pdf
  23. "Select Committee on Public Administration Fifth Report"
    https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmpubadm/212/21209.htm
  24. "Honours system outdated, say MPs", BBC News, 13 July 2004, Retrieved 28 February 2007
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/3888581.stm
  25. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-18456068
  26. "The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire : Newsletter"
    https://www.centralchancery.org.uk/Content/documents/OBE%20Newsletter%20Dec2015.pdf
  27. The London Gazette
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/3162918
  28. The London Gazette
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/64397/page/9430
  29. London Gazette
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/awards-and-accreditation/content/100138
  30. British Gallantry Awards
  31. The London Gazette
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/41285/supplement/365
  32. The London Gazette
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/56878/supplement/3353
  33. City Matters
    https://web.archive.org/web/20201001144803/https://www.citymatters.london/queen-marks-100-years-order-british-empire/
  34. The National Archives
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  35. "BEM Recipients Entitled to New Emblem"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140729200444/http://www.berwickshirenews.co.uk/news/local-news/all-local-news/bem-recipients-entitled-to-new-emblem-1-241213
  36. Statutes 1995, article 34.
  37. GOV.UK
    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/having-honours-taken-away-forfeiture
  38. John Lennon: The Life
  39. The Telegraph
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/11/26/john-lennons-letter-returning-mbe-found-years-later/
  40. Independent.co.uk
    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/honoured-no-thanks-say-elite-of-arts-and-tv-83635.html
  41. A reformed Honours system, Select Committee on Public Administration, 7 July 2004, Retrieved 13 May 2012
    https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmpubadm/212/21209.htm
  42. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/nov/27/iraq.monarchy
  43. "Chronology of the Life of C. S. Lewis"
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  44. Letters of C. S. Lewis
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  45. TeamCoco.com
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  46. Showbiz Cheat Sheet
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  47. The Beatles Anthology
    https://archive.org/details/beatlesanthology0000unse/page/183
  48. Dead or Alive (subscription required) Archived 21 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine Time, 12 May 1952
    http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,806357,00.html
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