King Charles has revealed the recipients of his New Year Honours, highlighting achievements across entertainment, sports, literature, and public service.
Notable names include Happy Valley star Sarah Lancashire and three-time Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan, both appointed Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). Sarah, 60, described the honour as an “unexpected delight.”
Knighthoods and High Achievers
Actor Stephen Fry, former England football manager Gareth Southgate, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan have been knighted. Sir Stephen, celebrated for his work on Blackadder and QI, expressed being “startled and enchanted” by the recognition, which honours his contributions to mental health awareness, environmental advocacy, and charity.
Sir Gareth Southgate, 54, received his knighthood for services to football, having led England to the Euro 2020 and 2024 finals and the 2018 World Cup semi-final. Meanwhile, Sir Sadiq Khan, also 54, was acknowledged for his political and public service as London’s mayor since 2016.
Athletes Honoured for Olympic Glory
Several Team GB athletes were recognised following their success at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where they secured 65 medals:
- Keely Hodgkinson, 800m gold medalist and BBC Sports Personality of the Year, received an MBE.
- Tom Pidcock, mountain biking champion, was made an OBE.
- Hannah Cockroft, Paralympic gold medalist in the T34 100m and 800m, was appointed a CBE.
Other honourees include swimmer Duncan Scott (OBE), sailor Ellie Aldridge (MBE), and a quartet of gold-medalist rowers who were each made MBEs.
Literary and Creative Icons Recognised
Dame Jacqueline Wilson, creator of The Tracy Beaker series, was appointed Dame Grand Cross (GBE) for her contributions to literature, while Nobel Prize-winning author Sir Kazuo Ishiguro was made Companion of Honour.
In the entertainment sector:
- Alan Titchmarsh was made a CBE.
- Eddie Marsan, actor in Back to Black, was made an OBE.
- Myleene Klass and Doctor Who legend Tom Baker were appointed MBEs.
Special Recognitions
The oldest honouree, 103-year-old World War II pilot Colin Bell, received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his charitable efforts. Meanwhile, 18-year-old para-swimmer William Ellard, a gold medalist at the Paralympics, became the youngest recipient with his MBE.
Additionally, campaigners for justice in the Horizon ITV scandal, including Lee Castleton and Seema Misra, were made OBEs, while Labour MP Emily Thornberry was named a dame, and former West Midlands Mayor Andy Street received a knighthood.
The honours list celebrates a diverse range of achievements, showcasing the breadth of talent and dedication across the UK.
