Rugby league great Kevin Sinfield, actress Dame Helen Mirren, and six members of the European Championship-winning England women's football team lead the King's Birthday Honours list. Sinfield was knighted, becoming Sir Kevin, while the Lionesses were made Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
Kevin Sinfield's Knighthood
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) for four-and-a-half years. The former England rugby league captain has raised over £10 million for MND charities. He received a knighthood for services to the MND community, as well as to league and union rugby. It is only the second knighthood in rugby league's 130-year history. "I am deeply honoured and grateful to receive this award on behalf of the rugby and MND communities," Sir Kevin said.
Helen Mirren's Companion of Honour
Dame Helen Mirren was made a Companion of Honour for services to drama, an exclusive group limited to 65 members at any time. The Oscar-winning actress, who portrayed Queen Elizabeth II in the 2006 film The Queen, received the honour days after footage circulated showing her being verbally abused while walking in central London with her husband. In the footage, filmed last year, the 80-year-old was called an "evil Zionist" while walking in Tower Hill with her husband, American film director Taylor Hackford.
Lionesses Honoured
Chloe Kelly, who scored the winning penalty in last summer's nail-biting Euros final, was among the players made an MBE. Thousands of fans lined the Mall in July to celebrate the Lionesses' dramatic victory over Spain. Rising star forward Michelle Agyemang, at 20 years old, is the youngest recipient on the list. Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, forwards Alessia Russo and Lauren James, and defender Jess Carter were also honoured.
Other Notable Honours
Nearly 1,200 people from across the UK received honours in the latest list. Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi received 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 and then to see that music connects with so many over the years." 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, being awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours list, I don't know what is. To say I am humbled is an absolute understatement. Thank you so much, my heart is the warmest it could ever be."
David Sproxton and Peter Lord, co-founders of the Academy Award-winning animation studio Aardman behind Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep, were both knighted for services to the creative industries and charity. "We both feel it is an extraordinary privilege and an honour – as well as a complete and utter surprise – to be recognised in this way," they said.
Broadcaster and musician Cerys Matthews became an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to music. The Catatonia singer, who fronts a weekly show on BBC Radio 6 Music, was made an MBE in 2014. DJ Judge Jules, who received an MBE, said the honour feels like "a reward for my industry." TV presenter Anneka Rice was made an MBE for services to charity and broadcasting. She took on various tasks in her show Challenge Anneka, which aired from 1989 to 1995 and was briefly revived in 2023, often to raise money for charity.
The Gruffalo writer Julia Donaldson and Noughts and Crosses author Malorie Blackman both received damehoods for services to literature. Dame Julia was the UK's best-selling author last year, overtaking Harry Potter creator JK Rowling. She said: "Receiving this honour has been a very happy surprise. It's really gratifying to have children's books recognised in this way."
Businessman Dave Fishwick, who inspired Netflix's Bank Of Dave film, was made an OBE for services to finance, business and charity. Beauty entrepreneur Charlotte Tilbury was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). The 53-year-old founded her eponymous beauty brand in 2013 after working as a celebrity make-up artist for more than 20 years.
The oldest recipient was 101-year-old Pauline Hough, who received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to theatre and the community in Nantwich, Cheshire. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "Across the UK, people are quietly changing lives and strengthening their communities. This Honours List is a chance to recognise them. Their dedication shows how lasting change is built – through compassion, resilience and a commitment to others. It speaks to the decent, hopeful country we are proud to be, and on behalf of the whole nation, I want to say thank you."
