New Year Honours list: What is the honours system and what are the perks?
The honours list at the end of December is just one of the ways ordinary subjects can be exalted by being selected into an order, being granted a medal or having a life long peerage bestowed.
Thursday 28 December 2023 23:18, UK
The annual announcement of the New Year Hours list comes on Friday and could include people selected by Liz Truss despite her premiership lasting just 49 days.
While any inclusion on the list is significant and noteworthy, some of the titles confer more status than others.
Here Sky News works out what the categories mean and how the honours system works.
Honours are awarded by the King but most are given on recommendations from the prime minister or outgoing prime ministers, particularly political honours.
The forthcoming list is one of two published during the year, with the other usually issued to coincide with the King's official birthday in June. Additionally, resigning prime ministers can draw up a resignation honours list.
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Honours typically celebrate the contribution of famous people, government officials and those who have served their community.
The main benefit of being given an honour is the notoriety, renown and recognition it vests.
Former prime minister Liz Truss in March ubmitted a selection of allies to be honoured but Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faced calls to block her picks.
Her choices could be announced with the New Year selection to minimise the attention they'd draw if there were a standalone announcement.
Anyone, however, can nominate and in turn be nominated for an honour.
There's no strict set of nominating criteria but part of the Cabinet Office called the Honours and Appointments Secretariat check through people on the list.
Confidential information, such as tax affairs, can be checked through an agreement with the Home Office and other government departments.
People due to receive a peerage are subject to additional scrutiny via the House of Lord Appointment Commission.
The commission can't veto names, rather they can only advise against their inclusion.
Once those hurdles are passed, the final list is recommended to the King who formally awards the honours.
Honours can be withdrawn as was the case for convicted paedophile Rolf Harris.
Peerage
The means of appointing life peers, who sit in the House of Lords for the rest of their lives and take part in making the laws of the country, is separate to the orders and medals honours system.
They take the Lord or Lady title and are entitled to up to £342 for each day they attend in the House of Lords.
Prime ministers typically compile resignation honours on departing office which grant life peerages.
People can also inherit his title.
There are nine categories in the orders and medals honours system.
Knighthood
The most coveted and renowned is the knight bachelors rank.
Those who are knighted have the honorary Sir or Dame title added before their name and wives of knights can add Lady to their name.
They're granted the title of Knight Commander (KBE) or Dame Commander (DBE), Order of the British Empire (OBE) for making a "pre-eminent contribution" in any field of activity but don't sit in the Lords.
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire - CBEs, OBEs, MBEs and BEMs
Is the second class of honour and includes the Commander of the British Empire (CBE); Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE); Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) and British Empire Medal (BEM)
CBEs are the highest rank, bestowed for playing a leading role in regional affairs through achievement or service to the community, or for making a "highly distinguished, innovative contribution" in a particular activity.
OBEs are for people who've a distinguished regional or county-wide role in any field, through achievement or service to the community.
MBEs mark outstanding achievement or service in and to the community which has delivered "sustained and real impact" and is as an example to others.
BEMs are for achievement or contribution of a "very hands-on" service to local community. That contribution has to have delivered real impact but for only three to four years.
Companions of Honour
Is an award given to those who have made a supreme achievement in the arts, science, medicine or government.
There can only be 65 members of this grouping at any one time.
Recipients can add CH after their name and use the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace for weddings, baptisms and memorial services.
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The Royal Victorian Order
Is an award made by the sovereign, independent to government of the day, for those who have done personal service to the monarchy.
A church in the City of Westminster central London, the King's Chapel of Savoy, is available on request for awardees also for weddings, baptisms and memorial services.
Order of Merit
Another order conferred only by the King or Queen of the day is for individuals of exceptional distinction in the arts, learning, sciences and public service.
A select club, only 24 people can be granted the Order of Merit.
Grantees can also request the use of a church for religious services - the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace is available for this group.
The Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George
Recognises British people who have done extraordinary and important services abroad.
This could include senior diplomats for exceptional service or those who made outstanding contributions to major international organisations, or the King's representatives in Commonwealth countries.
Only the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is responsible for order nominations. There are three classes in which to place awardees.
Members of the order can request use St Paul's Cathedral and attend a service of thanksgiving there with guests every four years.
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath
Military or civil service men and women are eligible for this honour for exemplary service.
There are three classes within the order: the first and second classes carry the Dame or Sir titles.
Westminster Abbey is where this order can avail of wedding, baptism and funeral services and attend a thanksgiving mass every four years.
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The Most Ancient and Most Nobel Order of the Thistle
Only Scottish people are accepted into this order and only the King can select people.
No more than 16 can be included at any one point in time. Those who have held public office or contributed significantly to national life are chosen.
The Most Nobel Order of the Garter
Finally, this order is reserved for no more than 34 public servants.
They have to have contributed to national life or served the King personally and it's only the King who can choose members.