Honours system of the United Kingdom

The honours system recognises people for merit, bravery or service to the country. In UKOGB honours are awarded by The Sovereign, usually on the advice of the Prime Minister, and any member can nominate another for one.

History

The British honours system grew up over seven centuries, from the medieval knights and the founding of the Order of the Garter in 1348 to the Order of the British Empire, created in 1917 to honour the civilians who supported the war effort. Today it ranges from the most exclusive orders, limited to a handful of members, to the British Empire Medal, given for service to local communities.

Nominations

On the UKOGB website any member can nominate another for an honour, with a citation explaining what they have done. Nominations are considered and, if approved, the honour is awarded. A holder's honours appear on their profile with the date each was given, and in their styled name, for example "Rt Hon Sir Jane Smith KBE PC MP": prefixes such as "Sir" or "Rt Hon" come before the name, and letters after it, in order of precedence.

Order of precedence

1. Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter (KG)
2. Knight or Lady of the Thistle (KT)
3. Knight or Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB)
4. Order of Merit (OM)
5. Knight or Dame Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG)
6. Knight or Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO)
7. Knight or Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE)
8. Companion of Honour (CH)
9. Knight or Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB)
10. Knight or Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG)
11. Knight or Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO)
12. Knight or Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE)
13. Knight Bachelor
14. Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)
15. Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG)
16. Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO)
17. Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
18. Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO)
19. Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
20. Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO)
21. Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
22. British Empire Medal (BEM)
23. Privy Counsellor (PC)
24. King's Counsel (KC)