Commander of the Order of the British Empire | |
|---|---|
| Order | Most Excellent Order of the British Empire |
| Awarded by | The Sovereign |
| Precedence | 17 |
| Post-nominals | CBE |
The Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) is the highest rank of the Order of the British Empire below a knighthood or damehood, given for a prominent role at national level or a leading role at regional level. It is part of the honours system, and holders use the letters CBE after their name.
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The order
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire was founded by King George V in 1917, during the First World War, to honour the many civilians as well as servicemen and women who contributed to the war effort. It is now the order most widely given, recognising contributions in every walk of life. It has five classes: Knight or Dame Grand Cross (GBE), Knight or Dame Commander (KBE or DBE), Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE) and Member (MBE). Its chapel is in St Paul's Cathedral, and its motto is "For God and the Empire".
Appointment
Honours are awarded by The Sovereign, usually on the advice of the Prime Minister. In UKOGB any member can nominate another for an honour on the website, with a citation explaining why. Once it is awarded, the honour and the date it was given appear on the holder's profile, and their styled name changes to include it.
This page was last edited on 3 November 2026.