Six members of the Lionesses’ victorious Euro 2025 squad have been made MBEs in King Charles’s birthday honours list, while Dame Helen Mirren has been made a Companion of Honour for services to drama. Former rugby league player Kevin Sinfield has been knighted for his campaigning and fundraising to tackle motor neurone disease.
The England women’s players honoured include double Euro champions Chloe Kelly, who scored the decisive penalty in the 2025 final against Spain, and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who saved two penalties in that shootout. Also receiving MBEs are fellow double-winners Alessia Russo and Jess Carter, as well as 2025 champions Lauren James and Michelle Agyemang. At 20, Agyemang is the youngest person on this year’s list.
Dame Helen Mirren, who won an Oscar for her portrayal of Elizabeth II in the 2006 film The Queen, becomes a Companion of Honour, a title limited to 65 holders at any one time. The honours committees highlighted the prominence of people who have contributed significantly to their communities.
James Brown, founder of Lifesavers Scotland, which transports blood products for the NHS, received an MBE. He set up the charity after being saved by NHS staff when he had sepsis. Alice Outten, who founded Prom Ally to provide dresses and suits for end-of-school parties, was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM).
Other notable recipients include Welsh broadcaster and musician Cerys Matthews (OBE), dance music DJ Judge Jules (MBE), TV presenter Anneka Rice (MBE), and authors Julia Donaldson and Malorie Blackman, who both received damehoods. The oldest recipient was Pauline Hough, 101, who received a BEM for services to theatre and community.
The Cabinet Office said 49% of recipients at CBE level and above were women, nearly 12% came from an ethnic minority background, and more than 15% declared a disability or long-term health condition. A total of 1,182 honours were awarded in this list.
