UK celebrates public service heroes in HM the King’s Birthday Honours List

Community heroes up and down the country are celebrated in His Majesty The King's Birthday Honours List 2025 today. 

Over a thousand recipients have been awarded for their exceptional achievements, with a particular focus on those who have given their time to public service. 

This year's recipients include dedicated community champions, role models in sport, pioneers in the arts, passionate health workers, and supporters of young people.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“This year's Birthday Honours List is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary dedication, compassion, and service that exists in every corner of our country.

"From community champions to cultural icons, each recipient reflects the very best of Britain. I extend my heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to them all.”

Among those being honoured today is former England captain David Beckham, who receives a Knighthood for services to Sport and Charity. Beyond the pitch, Beckham has been a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF since 2005, and he also established the 7 Fund aimed at helping vulnerable children around the world. He supports a number of charities including the Chelsea Pensioners, Help for Heroes, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Age UK and the London Air Ambulance service.

The oldest recipient this year is William Irwin who, at 106 years old, receives a BEM for services to the community in Coleraine, County Londonderry. William is one of three honours recipients over the last ten years aged 106. 

At 11 years old, the youngest recipient this year is Carmela Chillery-Watson, who lives with a rare life-limiting, muscle-wasting condition. She receives an MBE for charitable fundraising, in particular for Muscular Dystrophy UK.

For the first time, three members of the same family, Duncan Speirs, Caroline Jane Speirs and Jenna Catherine Helen Speirs, are all receiving a BEM for services to Charitable Fundraising, after setting up Calum's Cabin, which provides holiday homes for children facing cancer.  

Arts

Sculptor Sir Antony Gormley is made a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour for his services to Art, and Emma Bridgewater is made a Dame for her for services to Ceramics. Oliver Sykes, is awarded an MBE for services to Access to the Arts for Underprivileged Young People. 

Sports

Billy Boston becomes the first Rugby League Player to ever receive a Knighthood, and Sarah Virginia Wade receives a CBE for services to Tennis and Charity. Footballer Rachel Daly has been awarded an MBE for services to Association Football, and darts player Luke Littler has been awarded an MBE for services to Darts, currently the World no.2 at the age of 18.

Philanthropy and Charity

Roger Daltrey, a patron to the Teenage Cancer Trust has been awarded a Knighthood for his services to Charity. Sunita Arora, founder of the Arora Charitable Foundation receives an OBE for services to the Charitable Sector and to Philanthropy, and Albino Okello has been awarded an MBE for his services to the Red Cross for his work with the Family Tracing Service as a National Caseworker.

Business

Clare Barclay, the CEO of Microsoft UK, has been made a Dame for her services to Business, Technology and Leadership,alongside. Also receiving Damehoods are Professor Ursula Martin, an Emeritus Professor in the Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford,  Deborah Crosbie, CEO of Nationwide Building Society and Anne Glover, CEO and co-founder of Amadeus Capital Partners for her work in Engineering and Science 

Entertainment

Gary Oldman receives a Knighthood for Services to Drama, while Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly both receive MBEs for services to Broadcasting.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, said:

“I send my congratulations to all of the recipients of this year's Birthday Honours List, and thank them for their contributions to their communities and the country.

“If you know someone who has done something incredible, nominate them for an honour so the nation can recognise their achievements.”

Anyone can nominate someone for an honour. If you know someone who has achieved fantastic things worthy of recognition, go to https://www.gov.uk/honours to find out more about how you can put them forward.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The honours system strives to be inclusive of all of the UK society. Of the 1215 people who receive an award:

• 1075 candidates have been selected at BEM, MBE and OBE level:

• • 338 at BEM

  • 493 at MBE

  • 244 at OBE

• 61% of the recipients are people who have undertaken outstanding work in their communities either in a voluntary or paid capacity;

• 69% of the recipients live outside of London and the South East

• • 5% of awards are in the The East Midlands, an increase from 3% at NY25

  • 4% of awards are in the North East, an increase from 2% at NY25

  • 6% of awards are in the West Midlands, an increase from 5% at NY25

• 581 women are recognised in the List, representing 48% of the total: 

• • 46% of recipients at CBE level and above are women;

• 11% of the successful candidates come from an ethnic minority background:

• 5% of recipients are from an Asian ethnic group;

• 4% of recipients are from a black ethnic group;

• 2% of recipients with a mixed ethnic background;

The full Birthday Honours List 2025 will be published on gov.uk.