King Orders Revocation of Stuart Hogg's MBE Following Domestic Abuse Admission
Stuart Hogg, the disgraced former international rugby player, is set to be stripped of his MBE by King Charles III after pleading guilty to domestically abusing his ex-wife. The Scotsman, who earned 100 caps for his country, avoided a prison sentence last year but now faces the formal annulment of his honour.
Court Proceedings and Abuse Details
At Selkirk Sheriff Court in November 2024, Hogg admitted to shouting, swearing, and behaving abusively towards his estranged wife, Gillian, over a five-year period. The 33-year-old, currently playing for Montpellier in France, received a community payback order instead of jail time. During proceedings, it was revealed that on one occasion, he bombarded Gillian with more than 200 messages within just a couple of hours.
Dr Marsha Scott, chief executive of Scottish Women's Aid, condemned the sentence as 'trivial' at the time, alleging that Hogg subjected his former partner to a 'regime of terror for five years'.
Official Notice and MBE Cancellation
A notice published in the Gazette on Thursday confirmed the King's directive to cancel and annul Hogg's appointment as a Member of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, dated 30 December 2023. The notice stated that his name will be erased from the Register of the Order, effectively revoking the honour he received for services to rugby just months before his guilty plea.
Personal Struggles and Relationship Aftermath
In October, Hogg publicly addressed the ordeal for the first time, telling the Rugby Paper that he 'lost himself' during the marriage breakdown. He described being 'up to my eyeballs on antidepressants' and using alcohol to escape, stating, 'I was purely existing.'
The couple, married for nine years before divorcing, have four children together. After initially retiring ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Hogg reversed his decision in summer 2024 to sign with Montpellier, despite breaching a court order to avoid contact with his ex-wife.
Hogg subsequently began a relationship with former jockey Leonna Mayor, 34, and they welcomed a child named Teddy in February 2025. However, Mayor announced their split at the start of this year via Instagram, writing, 'Now seems as good a time as any... I am no longer with Stuart.' She added, 'New year. Fresh start. Me and the most precious thing.'
Rugby Career Legacy
Despite the scandal, Hogg remains one of Scotland's all-time leading try scorers and was selected for three British & Irish Lions tours. His final international appearance occurred in 2023, capping a career that once earned him royal recognition now being formally rescinded.
