The figures at the forefront of Britain’s response to Russia’s war in Ukraine joined Queen’s guitarist Brian May and a fashion designer dubbed the “mother of the miniskirt” in the country’s New Year’s Honors list on Friday.
Artists, community leaders and members of the award-winning England women’s football team are also among the more than 1,100 people included in this year’s list, the first to be signed by King Charles III.
May, who is also an animal welfare campaigner, was knighted for services to music and charity. The former Queen guitarist, who also has a doctorate in astrophysics, said he sees his new title as “a kind of commission to do what a knight would do – to fight for justice, fight for people who don’t have a voice.”
Mary Quant, the 92-year-old designer best known for popularizing the miniskirt in the 1960s, has received Britain’s highest honor for her services to fashion. Quant’s appointment to the Order of Companions of Honor, a special status held by no more than 65 people at any one time, came seven years after he was made a dame – the equivalent of a knight – in recognition of his designs.
Artist Grayson Perry, famous for his tapestries and ceramics, was also awarded a knighthood for services to art.
Elsewhere, diplomats who shaped Britain’s response to the war in Ukraine were recognised, with damehoods for ambassadors to Kyiv and Moscow, and British Empire Medals (BEM) for campaigners who spearheaded donations for Ukrainian refugees.
Nanny Louenna Hood, 37, who raised more than 160,000 pounds through an online auction, said she was “completely stunned” to be recognised.
“I started a campaign, but I couldn’t have done it without the community,” he said.
Half of this year’s awards went to women, including members of the England soccer team that won the 2022 Women’s European Championship and the first woman to lead a major British bank.
England captain Leah Williamson received an OBE, while teammates Lucy Bronze, Beth Mead and Ellen White were all made MBEs.
Alison Rose, chief executive of banking group NatWest and the first woman to run one of Britain’s biggest banks, was also awarded a damehood.
The King of England has awarded it as part of the order of knighthood since the Middle Ages. In modern times, nominations are submitted to the government’s Cabinet Office and vetted by a committee before being forwarded to the prime minister and the king for approval.
Others honored this year include campaigns for environmental action and climate change, youth engagement and fighting discrimination. Britain’s chief rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, who received a knighthood, is among several recognized leaders of the Jewish community.
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