
Once all recipients have been decided and checked, the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood at St James’s Palace arranges investitures for the presentation of medals. The lists are published in the official newspaper of the Crown, The Gazette. Twice a year – at new year and in June on the Queen’s official birthday. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) oversees the Diplomatic Service and Overseas List.
The recommendations of these groups of independent experts and senior civil servants are passed on to the Prime Minister and, ultimately, the Queen for approval.
#Levels of knighthood professional
This vetting process, to avoid bringing the system into “disrepute”, can involve the input of government departments, regulatory bodies, professional organisations, HM Revenue and Customs and the ACRO Criminal Records Office.Ī group of 10 independent honours committees, each covering a specialist subject area such as sport or health, consider nominations. The suitability of nominees submitted to the Honours and Appointments Secretariat is established through “merit” and “probity and propriety” checks. Who approves nominations?Ĭonsideration of nominations can take 12 to 18 months. Non-British or Commonwealth country citizens can be considered for “honorary” awards. Someone who has made an exceptional contribution to the response to the coronavirus crisis in the UK can also now be nominated. Nominations are submitted to the Cabinet Office’s Honours and Appointments Secretariat, which oversees the honours system.
Five heartwarming dog stories that made us smile this year. Mildest-ever New Year's Eve with temperatures hitting 15C, but cold snap on way. People living or working overseas, whose achievements were made in another country or in the UK and have a significant international element, can be nominated too. UK nationals and citizens of 15 Commonwealth “realms” of which the Queen is head of state are eligible for nomination. How are people nominated for honours?Īny member of the public or an official body can nominate someone for an honour. Gallantry awards recognising bravery can also be given to members of the armed forces and the emergency services and civilians. Honours are given to people involved in a range of fields, including sport, health, science and technology, education, business and the arts and media. It acknowledges long-term volunteers, innovators, entrepreneurs, individuals displaying “moral courage”, those making a difference in their community or field of work or people improving life for others less able to help themselves. In recent times, the British honours system recognises people who have “made achievements in public life” and “committed themselves to serving and helping Britain”. Honours as part of orders of chivalry have been given by monarchs since the Middle Ages. Here is a look at the inner workings of the honours system: What are honours for? Each project requires different thinking, planning and design, while balancing the needs of all stakeholders.The release of the New Year Honours provides another opportunity to celebrate individual outstanding achievements and contributions to British society.īut who decides how honours are handed out, and what exactly do they recognise? "The beautiful thing about engineering is that it is never the same. He plans to continue learning and contributing to the field. Mr Chia, who is married with two sons, hopes his achievement will inspire young people to take up engineering. Of the knighthood, he said: "It's not only an honour for myself, but my country, my organisation and the past organisations I've worked for." He already had over 40 years of experience when he joined us, including having spent time in Singapore," said Mr Chia. "I find him very approachable and very willing to share his experience. Mr Chia, who had always looked up to Prof d'Angremond as a mentor, praised the Dutchman for being open. Prof d'Angremond, who nominated Mr Chia for the knighthood, said: "He contributed not only to the acceptance of the polder concept in Singapore, but he also resolved many potential misunderstandings between all involved." To tap Dutch expertise, Professor Emeritus Kees d'Angremond, an alumnus of the Delft Institute, was invited to Singapore in the early 2000s. The dike around it will measure 10km long and stand about 7m above the polder land. The reclaimed polder land will add 810ha - the size of two Toa Payoh towns - to the north-western end of Pulau Tekong.