The King's Birthday Honours list for 2026 has been officially released, recognising a diverse range of individuals from sports, entertainment, public service, and more. Rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield, veteran actress Dame Helen Mirren, and six members of the European Championship-winning Lionesses are among the most prominent names honoured this year.
Top Honours: Companions of Honour and Knights Grand Cross
Dame Helen Mirren has been appointed a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) for her services to drama. Sir Donald McCullin, the renowned photojournalist, also received the CH. Sir Jonathan Stephen Cunliffe, chair of the Independent Water Commission, and Professor Dame Parveen June Kumar, professor emerita of medicine, were made Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE).
Order of the Bath
Simon Peter Burton, Clerk of the Parliaments, was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB). Susanna Justine McGibbon KC, lately HM Procurator General, received the Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath (DCB).
Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)
A number of distinguished women were made Dames Commander, including author Malorie Blackman OBE, writer Julia Donaldson CBE, and Professor Melanie Jane Davies CBE, professor of diabetes medicine at the University of Leicester. Others include Jane Fraser, CEO of Citigroup, and Dr Hayaatun Sillem CBE, lately CEO of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Knights Bachelor
Kevin Sinfield CBE, the rugby league great and fundraiser for the MND community, was knighted. Other new knights include Professor Glen Warren Burley, deputy chief executive of NHS England, and David Alan Sproxton CBE, co-founder of Aardman Animations.
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
The CBE list features a wide range of achievers, including DJ and broadcaster Carl Cox, fashion designer Charlotte Tilbury MBE, and film composer Patrick Doyle. Also recognised are Professor Ron Arad, industrial designer, and Dexter Fletcher, actor and director. In the health sector, Dr Sarah Joan Hughes, CEO of Mind, and Dr Richard Mark Vautrey, lately president of the Royal College of General Practitioners, received CBEs.
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Among the OBEs are snooker player Shaun Murphy, broadcaster Anneka Rice, and actor Lisa Riley. Also honoured are Luke Donald MBE, golfer, and Emily Scarratt MBE, rugby union player. In business, Sandra Choi, creative director of Jimmy Choo, and Neil Clifford, CEO of Kurt Geiger, were recognised.
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
The MBE list includes many Lionesses footballers: Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo, Hannah Hampton, Jessica Carter, and Ellie Roebuck. Also receiving MBEs are Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi, jockey Ryan Moore, and Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley. In the arts, writer Julia Donaldson and TV presenter Anneka Rice were also awarded MBEs.
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
Many community heroes received the BEM, including volunteers, foster carers, and local activists. Notable among them are Carl Cox, DJ and broadcaster, and Anneka Rice, broadcaster, who also received OBEs. The full list includes hundreds of names from across the UK and overseas territories.
Diplomatic and Overseas Honours
The diplomatic service and overseas list includes Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) and Dames Commander (DCMG), as well as Companions (CMG). Awards were also made to individuals in the Bahamas, Solomon Islands, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Belize.
Royal Victorian Order
Members of the Royal Victorian Order were appointed, including Dr Michael David Dixon, Head of the Royal Medical Household, and David Vines White, Garter Principal King of Arms. The order recognises personal service to the monarch.
This year’s list celebrates outstanding contributions to public life, charity, sport, the arts, and community service, reflecting the breadth of achievement across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
