TWICE a year the Queen hands out special honours to recognise outstanding achievements and service to the country.
Over the years Adele, Steven Gerrard and Ed Sheeran have all received the MBE and Marcus Rashford was listed in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2020 after winning his free school meals fight.
What is an MBE?
An MBE is an appointment to the Order of the British Empire.
The honours system was established by King George during World War One in 1917 to honour the efforts of civilians and servicemen in non-combat roles.
There are five ranks in total, but three are most common.
The MBE is the lesser of the three after the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) and the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
What does MBE stand for?
MBE stands for Member of the Order of the British Empire.
Along with other appointments to the Order, they are handed out twice a year – in the New Year Honours List and The Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
The first list is usually released on December 28, and the second in June, but due to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 they were pushed back to Saturday, October 10.
What does an MBE entitle you to?
Those selected for the honour are invited to an investiture, a special ceremony in which an honour is given by a member of the Royal Family.
However, recipients can start using their new title or letters after their name as soon as the award is announced.
Apart from that, there are no special entitlements with an MBE.
How do you address an MBE?
Recipients of the MBE can add the “post-nominal” letters MBE to the end of their name to indicate the honour, in the same way education qualifications are shown.
But these are not generally used when addressing the individual, so they should be called by their normal name.
Can you nominate someone for an MBE?
You can nominate others, but not yourself, for an MBE by telling the Honours and Appointments Secretariat about the nominee’s work and achievements.
The MBE is awarded for an outstanding achievement or service to the community.
When nominating you should show the long-term, significant impact and example to others the nominee has had.
Nominations should be done through an official document, with at least two supporting letters.
Can non-British citizens get an MBE?
Only British citizens or residents of the Commonwealth can receive the Order of the British Empire.
However, the Queen can make honorary awards such as the OBE to foreign nationals.
These are nominated by the The Foreign Office, which has responsibility for the Diplomatic Service and Overseas List.
