Queen's guitarist and the women's soccer team top British honors list

Queen guitarist Brian May performs during the Platinum Jubilee concert taking place in front of Buckingham Palace, London June 4, 2022. (Jonathan Buckmaster/Pool Photo via AP,)

On Friday, those in the vanguard of the U.K.'s reaction to Russia's war in Ukraine joined Queen guitarist Brian May, and a fashion designer is known as "the mother of the miniskirt" on the New Year's Honors list.

Artists, community leaders, and members of England's award-winning women's soccer team were among the more than 1,100 persons on this year's list, which was the first to be signed off by King Charles III.

May, also an advocate for animal welfare, was made a knight bachelor for his contributions to music and philanthropy. The former Queen guitarist, who also holds a Ph.D. in astrophysics, described his new title as "a kind of commission to do the things one would expect a knight to do — to fight for justice, to fight for those without a voice."

Mary Quant, a 92-year-old designer, best known for popularizing the miniskirt in the 1960s, earned the United Kingdom's highest fashion award for her contributions to the industry. Quant's appointment to the Order of the Companions of Honor, a rank held by no more than sixty-five individuals at any given time, occurred seven years after she was appointed a dame in appreciation of her creations.

Grayson Perry, an artist noted for his tapestries and ceramics, was also knighted for his contributions to the arts.

A British Empire Medal (BEM) was awarded to an activist who led donation drives for Ukrainian refugees and damehoods for Kyiv and Moscow ambassadors.

The 37-year-old nanny Louenna Hood, who raised over 160,000 pounds through online auctions, was "completely stunned" to be acknowledged.

"I began the campaign but could not have succeeded without the community's help," she stated.

Women received fifty percent of this year's honors, including members of the England soccer team that won the 2022 Women's European Championship and the first woman to run a central U.K. bank.

Leah Williamson, the captain of England, received an OBE, while teammates Lucy Bronze, Beth Mead, and Ellen White won MBEs.

Alison Rose, the first woman to lead one of the United Kingdom's leading banks and the chief executive of banking firm NatWest, was also awarded a damehood.

Since the Middle Ages, British kings have granted honors as part of orders of chivalry. In modern times, nominations are presented to the Cabinet Office of the government and reviewed by a committee before being forwarded to the prime minister and the king for confirmation.

Other honorees this year advocated for environmental and climate change action, youth participation, and the elimination of discrimination. Ephraim Mirvis, the head rabbi of Britain, earned a knighthood with other Jewish community leaders.

Publish : 2022-12-31 14:38:00

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