British honours system

The honours system of the United Kingdom is a means of rewarding personal bravery, achievement or service to the country. The system is made up of three types of award: honours, decorations and medals.

Modern honours

As the head of state the Sovereign remains the ?Fount of honour? but the system for identifying and recognising candidates has changed considerably over time. Various orders of knighthood have been created (see below) as well as awards for military service, bravery, merit and achievement which take the form of decorations or medals. The means of selection depends upon the type of award being made.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Most medals are not graded. Each one recognises specific service and as such there are normally set criteria which must be met. These criteria may include a period of time and will often delimit a particular geographic region. Medals are not normally presented by the Sovereign. A full list is printed in the ?order of wear? which is published infrequently in the London Gazette.

Related Topics:
Sovereign - London Gazette

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Honours are split into classes (orders) and graded with different levels being used to distinguish between degrees of achievement or service. There are no criteria to determine these levels: various honours committees meet to discuss the candidates and decide which ones deserve which type of award and at what level. Since their decisions are inevitably subjective the twice-yearly honours lists provoke criticism from those who feel strongly about particular cases. Candidates are identified by public/private bodies and government departments or nominated by members of the public. Those selected by committee are submitted to the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary or Defence Secretary (depending upon their background) and then sent to the Sovereign for approval. Certain honours are awarded at her sole discretion.

Related Topics:
Prime Minister - Foreign Secretary - Defence Secretary

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A complete list of ~1350 names is published twice a year at the New Year and on the Queen's official birthday in June. The awards are then presented by the Queen or the Prince of Wales at investiture ceremonies.

Related Topics:
Queen's official birthday - Prince of Wales

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Refusal or forfeiture

Honours are sometimes subsequently removed (forfeited) if a recipient is convicted of a criminal offence.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A small number of people offered various awards have refused them, usually for personal reasons. (See a partial list of people who have declined a British honour.)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~