Order of the British Empire
| Most Excellent Order of the British Empire | ||
 CBE neck decoration (in civil division) | ||
| Awarded by The Monarch of the United Kingdom | ||
| Type: | Order of chivalry | |
| Established: | 1917 | |
| Motto: | For God and the Empire | |
| Eligibility: | British nationals, citizens of the Commonwealth realms, or anyone who has made a significant achievement for the United Kingdom | |
| Status: | Currently constituted | |
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organizations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established on 4 June 1917 by King George V and comprises five classes across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two of which make the recipient either a knight if male or dame if female. There is also the related British Empire Medal, whose recipients are affiliated with, but not members of the order.
Recommendations for appointments to the Order of the British Empire were originally made on the nomination of the United Kingdom, the self-governing Dominions of the Empire (later Commonwealth), and the Viceroy of India. Nominations continue today from Commonwealth countries that participate in recommending British honors. Most Commonwealth countries ceased recommendations for appointments to the Order of the British Empire when they created their own honors.
Current classes
The five classes of appointment to the Order are, in descending order of precedence:
- Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (GBE)
- Knight Commander or Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE or DBE)
- Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE)
- Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Styles and honorary knighthoods
The senior two ranks of Knight or Dame Grand Cross, and Knight or Dame Commander, entitle their members to use the title of Sir for men and Dame for women before their forename. Most members are citizens of the United Kingdom or the Commonwealth realms that use the Imperial system of honors and awards.
Honorary knighthoods are appointed to citizens of nations where the monarch is not head of state and may permit the use of post-nominal letters but not the title of Sir or Dame. Occasionally, honorary appointees are incorrectly referred to as Sir or Dame. Honorary appointees who later become a citizen of a Commonwealth realm can convert their appointment from honorary to substantive, then enjoy all privileges of membership of the order, including the use of the title of Sir and Dame for the senior two ranks of the Order. An example is Irish broadcaster Terry Wogan, who was appointed an honorary Knight Commander of the Order in 2005, and on successful application for British citizenship, held alongside his Irish citizenship, was made a substantive member and subsequently styled as Sir Terry Wogan.
External links
- Order of the British Empire – official website of the British Monarchy
- The Honours system – UK Government
- Queen's Birthday and New Year honours – The London Gazette, lists recipients of honors
- "The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire" (2002) – Cambridge University Heraldic and Genealogical Society
- "Order of Precedence in England and Wales", Velde, F. R. (2003) – Heraldica.org
- Search recommendations for the Order of the British Empire on the UK National Archives' website
- The Chapel of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire – OBE Chapel Exterior detail – JPEG image, IanMcGrawPhotos.co.uk
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