As 2023 came to a close, the British Government and Buckingham Palace announced the recipients of His Majesty’s 2023 New Year’s Honours. This annual register seeks to award special recognition to those who have provided outstanding contribution within their fields, with recognition stretching from the sciences, armed forces and industry, to higher education, parliamentary members and aides, as well as those in public services and charitable organisations. Notable recipients this year include Lionesses Millie Bright, Lauren Hemp and Mary Earps. This year’s honours have also included a range of people in the Arts & Theatre world, recognising the work that they have put into British culture in the past year.
This year’s honours include over 1200 recipients from CBEs, to MBEs, OBEs and everything in between. In the Arts & Theatre world, former Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company Gregory Doran has been honoured, as well as actor Oliver Ford Davies, Dame Shirley Bassey, lyricist Don Black, Chief Executive Officer of the Southbank Centre Elaine Bedell, and Solange Urdang, founder of The Dang Studios and Chief Executive Officer of the Urdang Academy.
Recipients of awards are invited to Buckingham Palace or the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where they are awarded their honours usually by William Prince of Wales, Anne the Princess Royal, or by King Charles III at various points throughout the year. This marks the third list that has been decided by the King, with his birthday honours and New Year’s Honours 2022 coming previously.
