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Quick guide to awards

Companion of honour

Awarded for a pre-eminent and sustained contribution in the arts, science, medicine, or government.

Knight or Dame

Awarded for a pre-eminent contribution in any field of activity, through achievement or service to the community, usually, but not exclusively at national level, or in a capacity which will be recognised by peer groups as inspirational and significant nationally, and which demonstrates sustained commitment.

CBE

Awarded for a prominent national role of a lesser degree, or a conspicuous leading role in regional affairs, through achievement or service to the community, or making a highly distinguished, innovative contribution in his or her area of activity.

OBE

Awarded for a distinguished regional or country-wide role in any field, through achievement or service to the community, including notable practitioners known nationally.

MBE

Awarded for achievement or service in and to the community of a responsible kind which is outstanding in its field; or very local 'hands-on' service which stands out as an example to others. In both cases awards illuminate areas of dedicated service which merit public recognition.

The Orders of Chivalry

There are ten orders and one appointment available to those performing meritorious service. Some of the countries of which The Queen is head of state also use some of these awards. The following awards are made personally by The Sovereign: 

• The Most Noble Order of the Garter
• The Most Ancient and Noble Order of the Thistle
• The Order of Merit
• The Royal Victorian Order
• The Most Honourable Order of the Bath
• The Order of St Michael and St George
• The Order of the British Empire
• The Order of the Companions of Honour
• The Most Noble Order of the Garter
• The Most Ancient and Noble Order of the Thistle
• The Order of Merit
• The Royal Victorian Order

Other awards are made by The Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, and the Secretary of State for Defence and include:

• The Most Honourable Order of the Bath
• The Order of St Michael and St George
• The Order of the British Empire
• The Order of the Companions of Honour

Full information on the orders is contained in the pdf document below.

• Download Orders of Chivalry (PDF, 34K)
• Help with PDF files

Bravery awards

Bravery awards are made in recognition of specific acts by individuals who risk their own lives in a selfless way in order to save, or attempt to save, the life of one of The Queen's subjects. They are also used to recognise similarly selfless brave acts undertaken in the prevention of crime or in the arrest or attempted arrest of dangerous criminals.

Anyone may nominate a person for a bravery award, though the majority of cases are made through official channels (police, fire service etc). All cases are assessed on their own merits and against criteria established by precedent.

For civilian awards, the Ceremonial Secretariat co-ordinates the assessment of nominations and the Prime Minister submits them to The Sovereign for approval. The Ministry of Defence considers awards recognising acts of bravery in military operations.

There are a number of bravery awards, organised into different levels to recognise the degree of bravery involved, including:

• George Cross
• George Medal
• Queen’s Gallantary Medal

Details of these and other awards are given in the pdf document below.

• Download Bravery awards (PDF, 16K)
• Help with PDF files

Orders of Wear

The order of wear shows the sequence in which orders, decorations and medals should be worn. Specific instructions on how to wear each award are included inside its case.

The document linked to below was published in The London Gazette in March 2003.

• Download Orders of Wear (PDF, 56K)
• Help with PDF files

Emblems for honours

The OBE emblem is based on the badge of the Order, enclosed in a circle of ribbon of its colours of pink and grey. It is intended to be worn by those who have been appointed GBE, DBE, KBE, CBE, OBE, MBE or who hold the British Empire Medal. In total there are around 120,000 living in the UK and overseas. The emblems do not replace the badge and ribbon which will continue to be presented at the Investiture.

The Order of the British Empire emblem may be obtained from:

Toye Kenning & Spencer Limited
OBE Emblem Department
Regalia House
Newtown Road
Bedworth
Warwickshire
CV12 8QR
England

Telephone: +44 (0) 24 76848866

Fax: +44 (0) 24 76643018

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