Collection

Honours: lists, reform and operation

Recent honours lists, reports on how honours operate and changes to the system, leaflets and details of how to make a nomination.

This series brings together recent honours lists, reports on the reform and operation of the honours system, case study leaflets of some of the people who have received honours and details of how to make a nomination.

Find out more about the honours system.

Honours lists

The lists of people who have received honours are published at New Year and on the Queen’s official birthday in June.

All honours lists are available from the London Gazette honours page.

Honorary British awards to foreign nationals

Civilian Gallantry List

The names of the individuals, who have received The George Medal, The Queen’s Gallantry Medal or The Queen’s Commendation for Bravery.

For more information on Civilian Gallantry see the Civilian gallantry - operation page.

How to make a nomination

Reports on the honours system

The honours system has a long history and has evolved over time into the modern system we have today. The honours system last underwent significant reform in 2005 in response to the 2004 reviews by the Public Administration Select Committee (PASC) and Sir Hayden Phillips.

Every 3-5 years the Cabinet Office publishes a report into the honours system outlining its operation and any changes which have taken place within the period. Additionally, every 5 years (“quinquennium”), a review is carried out of how honours are distributed across the different categories of activity in UK life.

How the honours system works

Published 11 October 2013
Last updated 23 May 2022 + show all updates
  1. Added the 2022 list of honorary British awards to foreign nationals

  2. New Year Honours List 2022 added.

  3. 2021 Birthday honours lists added.

  4. new list added: Honorary British awards to foreign nationals 2021

  5. Addition of "Birthday Honours Lists 2020".

  6. 2020 Honorary British awards to foreign nationals list added

  7. Reports three and four added on operation of the Honours system.

  8. 2019 Honorary British awards to foreign nationals list added

  9. Added 2019 New Year's Honours list and Civilian Gallantry list.

  10. Updated 'How the honours system works' group to remove old policy and link new guidance.

  11. 2018 Honours lists added

  12. Added in page on having honours taken away.

  13. Honorary British awards to foreign nationals - 2017

  14. Added 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours documents

  15. Added the 2017 Civilian Gallantry List

  16. Honorary British awards to foreign nationals added for 2016.

  17. Added 2016 Queen's Birthday Honours list and press notice.

  18. Honorary British awards to foreign nationals 2008-2012 lists added.

  19. Added New Years Honours 2016

  20. 2015 Queen's Birthday Honours list and press notice added.

  21. New honours lists added

  22. Updates to data and open vacancies

  23. Added 2015 New Year's Honours list.

  24. Added details of vacancy for Arts and Media Honours Committee.

  25. Added Civilian Gallantry Medal winners for 2014.

  26. Added link to available honours committee positions.

  27. Added full Honours lists and news story for New Year Honours 2014

  28. Added section for Civilian Gallantry List articles.

  29. First published.