King Charles Revokes Nine Honours in March Including Rugby Star's MBE
King Charles has taken the significant step of stripping nine individuals of their honorary titles this month alone, a move typically reserved for those with criminal convictions, professional misconduct, or actions that bring the honours system into disrepute. This includes the high-profile case of former Scottish rugby player Stuart Hogg, who had his MBE annulled after pleading guilty to domestic abuse charges.
Stuart Hogg's Honour Cancelled Following Domestic Abuse Admission
Stuart Hogg, a former Glasgow Warriors fullback with a decorated career including over 100 caps for Scotland and participation in three British and Irish Lions tours, was awarded an MBE in the 2024 New Year Honours for his services to rugby. However, his honour has now been cancelled and annulled. According to BBC News, Hogg admitted to shouting, swearing, and acting abusively towards his then estranged wife, Gillian, leading to calls for the revocation of his title.
The official notice in The Gazette, the UK's public record, states: "The King has directed that the appointment of Stuart William Hogg to be a Member of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, dated 30 December 2023 shall be cancelled and annulled and that his name shall be erased from the Register of the said Order."
Other Individuals Stripped of Honours This Month
In addition to Hogg, several others have had their honours removed in March. Paul Allen Rose, founder of Barrow's Owl Sanctuary in Cumbria, lost his MBE after being sentenced in May 2024 for causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and failing to ensure animal welfare, as reported by The Telegraph and Argus. A notice published on March 5 confirmed his title was stripped due to a criminal conviction.
The full list of individuals who have been stripped of their honours includes:
- Ian Ashbold, MBE 2016 – stripped due to criminal conviction
- Lloyd Hamilton, MBE 2011 – stripped due to criminal conviction
- Angela Middleton, MBE 2019 – stripped for bringing the honours system into disrepute
- Nigel O’Connor, MBE 2015 – stripped due to professional censure
- Tony Reilly, OBE 2011 – stripped due to professional censure
- Paul Rose, MBE 2002 – stripped due to criminal conviction
- Anant Shah, OBE 2020 – stripped for bringing the honours system into disrepute
- Graham Trewhella, MBE 2010 – stripped due to criminal conviction
- Stuart Hogg, MBE 2024 – stripped due to criminal conviction
These actions underscore the rigorous standards upheld by the honours system, where titles can be revoked if recipients fail to maintain the integrity expected of such accolades. The decisions are not made lightly and reflect the monarchy's commitment to preserving the prestige of these awards.
