Queen May guitarist, Football Lionesses named in King’s New Year’s Eve honours

Natalie Portman
By Natalie Portman 3 Min Read
origin 1

LONDON (RockedBuzz via Reuters) – Britain has recognized Queen guitarist Brian May, several English “lionesses” who won the European women’s soccer championship and diplomats involved in the response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on its first honor list King Charles New Year’s Eve.

Four members of the England women’s football team received honours, with captain Leah Williamson receiving an OBE, while Golden Boot winner of the tournament Beth Mead, defender Lucy Bronze and all-time top scorer Ellen White received honours. received MBE.

The team’s coach, Dutch international Sarina Wiegman, received an honorary CBE, a type of award given to foreign nationals.

May, a founding member of rock band Queen, was knighted at the end of the year he opened for Queen Elizabeth’s platinum jubilee concert atop the Victoria Monument, 20 years after performing atop Buckingham Palace at the Golden Jubilee.

Queen Elizabeth died in September, making the New Year’s Eve honors the first to be bestowed by King Charles since he took the throne. The list is drawn up by independent committees, before being approved by the prime minister and the monarch.

Melinda Simmons and Deborah Bronnert, British ambassadors to Kiev and Moscow respectively, both received dames for their services to foreign policy, with other officials working on Britain’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The chairman of the COP26 climate conference, Alok Sharma, has been knighted, as have former officials Mark Sedwill and Tom Scholar, who were ousted from high-profile roles during the terms of former prime ministers Boris Johnson and respectively Liz Truss.

Denise Lewis, an Olympic champion who won gold in the heptathlon at the Sydney 2000 Games, was made dame, while fashion designer Mary Quant and artist Grayson Perry were also honoured.

NatWest chief executive Alison Rose, the first female chief executive officer of a major British bank, was honored, as was Anita Frew, the first female president of aerospace company Rolls Royce.

New Year’s Eve honors have been awarded since the reign of Queen Victoria in the 19th century and aim to recognize not just famous people, but people who have contributed to national life through work often unsung for many years.

The OBE is an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, the MBE a Member of the Order of the British Empire and the CBE a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

(Reporting by Alistair Smout; Editing by Nick Macfie)

origin 1

Share This Article
Leave a comment