Actress Dame Helen Mirren, six European Championship-winning Lionesses, and rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield are among the famous faces celebrated in the King's Birthday Honours list for 2026. Other notable recipients include Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi, TV presenter Anneka Rice, and Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley.
Knighthoods and MBEs
Sinfield was knighted, becoming Sir Kevin, while members of the England women's football team were made Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). Sir Kevin has completed six running challenges inspired by former Leeds Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow, who died in 2024 after living with motor neurone disease (MND). The former England rugby league captain has raised over £10 million for MND charities and received the knighthood for his services to the MND community and rugby.
"I am deeply honoured and grateful to receive this award on behalf of the rugby and MND communities," Sir Kevin said. He added: "Since I first played rugby when I was seven, rugby league has given me so much. I am particularly proud to follow in the footsteps of the great Sir Billy Boston with rugby league's second-ever knighthood in over 130 years of the sport."
Dame Helen Mirren and Lionesses
Dame Helen Mirren, who won an Oscar for portraying Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen, was made a Companion of Honour for services to drama. Only 65 Companions of Honour exist at any time. In football, Chloe Kelly, who scored the winning penalty in the Euros final, was one of the players to receive an MBE. Thousands of fans lined the Mall in July to celebrate the Lionesses' victory over Spain.
At 20 years old, forward Michelle Agyemang is the youngest recipient on the list. Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, forwards Alessia Russo and Lauren James, and defender Jess Carter were also honored.
Honours for Music, TV, and Literature
Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi became an MBE for services to music and charity. He said: "What an unbelievable honour to receive an MBE. It's been a privilege doing something I love." Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley also received an MBE for services to drama and charity. She said: "Wow, if this is not my best 50th birthday present... To say I am humbled is an absolute understatement."
David Sproxton and Peter Lord, co-founders of Aardman Animations, were both knighted for services to the creative industries and charity. Broadcaster Cerys Matthews became an OBE for services to music, while DJ Judge Jules received an MBE. TV presenter Anneka Rice was made an MBE for services to charity and broadcasting.
Authors Julia Donaldson (The Gruffalo) and Malorie Blackman (Noughts and Crosses) received damehoods for services to literature. Businessman Dave Fishwick, who inspired Netflix's Bank of Dave, was made an OBE. Beauty entrepreneur Charlotte Tilbury was made a CBE.
