Recognising exceptional achievement or service
About
The UK honours system is used to reward people for merit, service or bravery.
Honours are normally awarded twice a year. A list is published on The Queen's Birthday in June and at the New Year.
The British honours system is one of the oldest in the world. It has evolved over 650 years as the country has found alternative means of recognising merit, gallantry and service.
The Ceremonial Secretariat
The UK Honours System is managed by the Cabinet Office Ceremonial Secretariat.
The 'Ceremonial Branch' was created in 1937 with responsibility for honours policy work across government. It became known as the Ceremonial Secretariat in 2001.
The Secretariat is responsible for:
- preparation of the Prime Minister's half-yearly Honours Lists;
- the provision of advice on all honours matters to the Head of the Home Civil Service;
- co-ordinating policy on the award of decorations and medals in the UK: providing advice as necessary to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence;
- the receipt, acknowledgement and processing of honours nominations made by members of the public;
- policy on, and assessment of, individual cases leading to civilian gallantry awards; and
- the assessment and processing of recommendations for the Imperial Service Medal.
