London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Paris Olympics gold medalist Keely Hodgkinson, and former England football manager Gareth Southgate were among over 1,200 individuals named in King Charles’s New Year honours list, released on Monday.
The list includes a wide range of recipients from politics, sport, the arts, and community service, with honours spanning from Member, Commander, or Officer of the Order of the British Empire (MBE, CBE, OBE) to knighthoods and damehoods.
Sadiq Khan, who was honoured for his political and public service, continues to be a prominent figure in British politics. Despite facing criticism over crime rates and housing issues in London, he was elected mayor for a third term this year.
Also knighted were UK TV icon Stephen Fry, known for his work on mental health awareness, charity, and the environment, and Gareth Southgate, who led England to two European Championship finals before stepping down as national team manager.
The New Year honours list, which has been awarded since 1890, also recognises individuals who have made significant contributions to national life through often unsung work. These awards are presented by the King or other senior members of the royal family.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the list for celebrating “unsung heroes” who make extraordinary contributions to their communities.
Notable knighthoods include MI5 Director General Ken McCallum, ex-Rolls-Royce CEO Warren East, and former HSBC chief executive Noel Quinn. Businesswoman Ruth Cairnie received a damehood, and Andy Street, former John Lewis boss, was knighted.
In the arts, actors Sarah Lancashire and Carey Mulligan, and TV personality Alan Titchmarsh received CBEs. Olympic athlete Keely Hodgkinson and rower Helen Glover were honoured with MBEs and OBEs, respectively.
Additionally, children’s author Jacqueline Wilson was made a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire, and novelist Kazuo Ishiguro received a Companion of Honour.
Four victims of the Horizon IT scandal, in which sub-postmasters were wrongly convicted of crimes due to faulty software, were also recognised for their efforts in campaigning for justice.
