Recognising exceptional achievement or service
Frequently Asked Questions
If you cannot find the information you want here please contact the Ceremonial Secretariat.
The Bigger Picture
Why do we have an honours system?
The honours system is used to reward people for merit, service or bravery. An honour, decoration or medal is a public way of illustrating that the recipient has done something worthy of recognition.
Why are there so many types/levels/classes of award?
The British honours system is one of the oldest in the world and can appear to be relatively complicated. It has evolved over 650 years and as the country has changed alternative means of recognising merit, gallantry and service have been invented. The current system contains awards developed for very different reasons. Today they are used for merit, service or bravery. Further information can be found in the honours section .
Do other countries have similar systems?
Other countries operate award systems with multiple awards/classes and different levels. Some countries have tried to create a one-class/one-level system. So far this has been found to be unworkable and no country currently uses a system of this sort.
Why are knighthoods given to businessmen and generals while MBEs are given to teaching assistants and nurses?
The levels differentiate between the scale of individual contributions. They are not a statement of relative value. The following can be used as a general guide to the level of award:
- Companion of Honour: A pre-eminent and sustained contribution in the arts, science, medicine, or government.
- Knight/Dame: A pre-eminent contribution in any field, usually, but not exclusively at national level, or in a capacity which will be recognised by peer groups as inspirational and significant nationally, and which demonstrates sustained commitment.
- CBE: A prominent national role of a lesser degree, or a conspicuous leading role in regional affairs or making a highly distinguished, innovative contribution in his or her area of activity.
- OBE: A distinguished regional or country-wide role in any field, including notable practitioners known nationally.
- MBE: Service in and to the community of a responsible kind which is outstanding in its field; or very local 'hands-on' service which stands out as an example to others. In both cases awards illuminate areas of dedicated service which merit public recognition.
The honours system recognises a diverse range of activity so generalised criteria are not a reliable guide to the level of award. However:
- In terms of service the difference is determined by the extent of the person's influence.
- In terms of achievement the difference is determined by the significance of the person's impact in their chosen profession.
Can honours be removed?
Yes. Forfeiture of an honour can be considered. Bravery awards are made in recognition of a specific deed. They are not removed whatever the subsequent conduct of the recipient. An Act of Parliament would be required to remove a Life Peerage.
Can awards be made posthumously?
The award of an honour makes the nominee a member of an Order and to become a member you have to be alive (in much the same way as membership of a football team). Sometimes the nominee may accept an award but dies before being able to collect it. In such cases the next of kin are able to attend an investiture and receive the insignia. Bravery awards do not confer membership of a group so they can be awarded posthumously.
Why do we still use the Order of the British Empire when there is no British Empire?
Although the name is a product of the period in which it was set up, the same is true of other orders (and indeed many other institutions, activities and traditions) both in this country and abroad. Finding a universally accepted and respected alternative would not be easy.
What considerations have been given to change?
Public opinion on the topic is extremely diverse and gaining a consensus on any proposed change has proven difficult. We receive many proposals for alterations but they often contradict one another. Since 1993 the public has been able to make nominations themselves.
The Process
Who decides who gets honours?
The recommendations for each list come from a variety of sources. They are processed and split into subject areas for scrutiny by a number of specialised sub-committees. These sub-committees are made up of experts who compare candidates in their area and decide which of them merit national recognition. Their assessments are passed to a selection committee that produces a list to go to the Cabinet Secretary and thence to the Prime Minister.
How can I find out about the system or candidates being considered for honours?
We are open about the workings of the system and you can find information about it on this website. However we will not disclose the identity of candidates. Many award systems shortlist their candidates. This may unnecessarily raise the hopes of a large number of potential recipients then dash them when they fail to come to fruition. We do not think that this practice is fair so we do not release the names of candidates. We do not release the names of those people who nominate candidates in order to protect their privacy.
How does the process of selecting candidates work?
See the pages outlining the process.
Nominations
How do I nominate someone for an honour?
Visit our how to nominate pages to learn how to nominate someone for a national honour.
How long does it take for my nomination to be processed?
Nominations need to be well supported and checked carefully. The process of verifying one of the thousands of cases received each year takes between 12 and 18 months to complete thoroughly. It is, therefore, important to nominate individuals while they are still active, so that they can be honoured while they are still undertaking the activities for which they have been nominated.
What kind of people should I try to nominate for an honour?
The honours system recognises people from many backgrounds, all of whom have done very different types of work. Guidelines and specimen cases are available in the nominations section. You may also find it helpful to study the lists when they are published every six months and to read any newspaper articles that appear (in your local paper) at this time.
Should I tell the person that I have nominated them?
No. It is not fair to raise the nominee's expectations in case they are disappointed.
Do I have to say what sort of honour I think is due?
No. The Ceremonial Secretariat will decide this so your candidate can then be compared with similar cases.
How will I know if my nomination is successful?
If successful the name of your candidate will appear in The London Gazette at the New Year or on The Queen's official birthday (June).
Can I submit another form if my nomination is unsuccessful?
Yes, but you ought to try to strengthen your case before trying again. There is no point in re-nominating until two years after your original nomination was made. It is also advisable to contact the Ceremonial Secretariat and see what happened to your previous nomination.
Wearing Awards
How do I get permission to wear foreign honours, decorations or medals?
You will need to write to the Honours Secretariat of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to find out about the wearing of foreign awards.
In what order do I wear my honours/decorations/medals?
Visit the order of wear page to find out the correct order in which to wear your awards. The instructions inside the case of each insignia give specific instructions explaining the way to wear that award. Tailors who mount medals and awards should also be familiar with the list.
I don't agree with the order of wear and think my award should be placed more highly than the others. Can you change the list?
The position of honours, decorations and medals is carefully considered at the time of institution. The list is reviewed periodically.
Some of my colleagues are wearing an official medal which I do not have. How do I get a medal for which I believe I am eligible?
If you have not received a medal for which you believe yourself to be eligible, even if it is for service performed several decades ago, you can check with the relevant government department and ask for an application form. If you are not sure which department to write to please contact us and we will point you in the right direction.
Other Honours FAQs
Do you allocate a set number of awards to each region/area?
No, selection is based on merit and competition is fierce. If an area is underrepresented in a given list it is because we have not received sufficient high-quality nominations for candidates from that area.
How many members of black and minority ethnic communities appear on the honours lists?
The proportion of minority ethnic recipients is roughly the same as the proportion of the adult population who come from minority ethnic backgrounds.
What proportion of the list is composed of women?
The proportion has increased significantly over recent years. Currently about 37% of each list is composed of female candidates.
Why/when did my relative/neighbour/friend/enemy get an award?
Details of awards are published in The London Gazette. You can carry out your own research by checking though the printed editions at your local library or by using the online database at http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/
Are many awards given to celebrities?
As a natural result of their activities, the recipients of honours in some areas (e.g. the arts) are likely to be better known so the press focus on them. However, the actual number is very small. You can check this yourself by looking at the complete list published in The London Gazette and counting how many names you recognise.
