The King’s Birthday Honours list for 2025 has celebrated a diverse array of individuals, recognising their significant contributions across the arts, sport, broadcasting, politics, charity, and crucially, community work. This year’s list includes around 1,200 recipients, with notable figures receiving knighthoods and damehoods, while highlighting the vital efforts of unsung heroes nationwide.
Knighthoods and Damehoods for Stars and Leaders
Among the most prominent names is acclaimed actor Gary Oldman, who receives a knighthood for his services to drama. Known for an illustrious career including his Oscar-winning portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour, Sir Gary has also recently earned praise for his role in Apple TV’s Slow Horses.
Former England football captain David Beckham is also knighted for services to sport and charity. Already an OBE recipient since 2003, Sir David has been a long-standing ambassador for Unicef and more recently for The King’s Foundation, supporting educational and environmental initiatives. His knighthood follows reports that past tax matters had been cleared, making him eligible. Sir David expressed immense pride, calling the recognition for his charity work “so fulfilling.”
Veteran rock star Roger Daltrey, co-founder of The Who, is knighted for services to charity and music. A dedicated patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust since 2000, leading their annual concert series at the Royal Albert Hall, Sir Roger stated he accepted the honour on behalf of the charity’s many “unsung heroes.”
Rugby League trailblazer Billy Boston makes history as the first person from the sport to receive a knighthood in its 130-year history. The 90-year-old legend, who was honoured early due to health concerns, played for Wigan and Great Britain in the 1950s and 60s.
Singer and actress Elaine Paige is made a Dame for services to music and charity. With a career spanning decades, including her famous role in Evita and over 20 years hosting a BBC Radio 2 show, Dame Elaine supports The Children’s Trust and The Dan Maskell Tennis Trust. She described receiving the honour as “shocked” yet “deeply honoured.” Acclaimed novelist Pat Barker also becomes a Dame for services to literature.
Other notable individuals receiving top honours include former Conservative cabinet minister Penny Mordaunt and Labour MP Chi Onwurah, who are made Dames for political service, and Nationwide chief executive Debbie Crosbie, who becomes a Dame. Labour MP Mark Tami receives a knighthood.
MBEs, OBEs, and CBEs Across Many Fields
Broadcasting favourites Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, the long-running hosts of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, are appointed Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to broadcasting. The popular duo, who have hosted the show together since 2014, celebrated the news, with Claudia joking they’d mark the occasion with a “paso doble.” Tess revealed her honour letter was almost misdelivered.
Rising darts sensation Luke Littler, the teenage world champion, and his rival, Premier League champion Luke Humphries, are both recognised with MBEs for their contributions to the sport. Veteran player Deta Hedman receives an OBE.
Reality TV personality Georgia Harrison is awarded an MBE for her vital work on online privacy and cyber crime campaigning. Following her own experience as a victim, she has become a powerful voice, working with police to promote conversations about consent. Harrison stated her campaigning wasn’t easy but “this honour is a reminder that we can make change when we use our voices.”
Other well-known names receiving honours include:
Jane Lapotaire (CBE for services to drama)
Adjoa Andoh (MBE, known for Bridgerton)
Samantha Morton (MBE, Bafta winner)
Anita Dobson (OBE for services to philanthropy, a patron of Thames Hospice)
Tracy-Ann Oberman (MBE for Holocaust education and combating antisemitism)
Virginia Wade (CBE for services to tennis and charity, former Wimbledon champion)
Alistair Brownlee (OBE, double Olympic triathlon gold medallist)
Devon Malcolm (OBE, former cricketer)
Martha Kearney (CBE for journalism and broadcasting, former Today Programme host)
Musicians Steve Winwood and Graham Gouldman (MBEs)
Greggs chief executive Roisin Currie and Specsavers co-founder Douglas Perkins (both CBEs)
Trade union leaders Dave Ward and Dr Patrick Roach (CBEs), and Sue Ferns (OBE)
Honouring Community Heroes
While celebrities feature prominently, the list is primarily made up of individuals recognised for their tireless work in communities across the UK and abroad.
Carly Barrett and Alison Madgin receive MBEs for setting up Samantha’s Legacy, a charity educating young people about knife crime in memory of their daughter/sister. Zahrah Mahmood, known as the Hillwalking Hijabi and president of Ramblers Scotland, is awarded an MBE for promoting diversity and inclusion in the outdoors community, stating, “If this recognition helps a little to show that the outdoors is for everyone, that would mean the world to me.”
John and Lorna Norgrove receive OBEs for their charity work supporting women and children, established in memory of their daughter Linda, an aid worker killed in Afghanistan. They dedicated their honour to the brave women continuing to work there. The Speirs family – Duncan, Caroline, and their daughter Jenna – receive British Empire Medals (BEMs) for Calum’s Cabin, which provides holiday homes for children with cancer.
The oldest recipient on the list is 106-year-old World War Two veteran Norman Irwin, who receives a BEM for his military service and extensive community involvement. The youngest is 11-year-old Carmela Chillery-Watson, who becomes the youngest person ever to receive an MBE for her remarkable fundraising and awareness campaigns for Muscular Dystrophy UK. Carmela hopes her honour will show the disability community they are “strong” and “can do whatever you want.”
Highest Distinctions
Sculptor Sir Antony Gormley, creator of the Angel of the North, and physicist Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell join the prestigious Companions of Honour, an exclusive group limited to just 65 living members, recognising their exceptional achievements.
The King’s Birthday Honours are awarded following recommendations from the prime minister, senior ministers, and public nominations, celebrating merit and service across British life.
