King's Birthday Honours 2026: Over 1,100 recognised including charity founders, youth mentors and cultural figures

Community heroes among honours

Charity founders Sali Hughes and Jo Jones were appointed MBEs after starting Beauty Banks, a project providing hygiene products to people in poverty. Hughes said they were "absolutely stunned" by the recognition. The pair launched the charity in 2018 after a visit to a Cardiff homeless shelter, and it now supplies more than 2,000 UK charities.

We're stunned. We had no idea we were in discussion until we got our letters.

Youth mentor Michael Phipps received an MBE for over 20 years of work tackling knife crime and gang exploitation in Manchester. He described himself as "honoured and privileged" to see his mentoring recognised. Phipps now leads community strategy at the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit.

Regional spread

Devon and Cornwall accounted for 24 recipients: 17 from Devon and seven from Cornwall. Ian David Piper received a CBE for housing and regeneration, while Beryl Richards, a five-time BAFTA-winning children's television director, became an MBE. In Jersey, two MBEs and one BEM were awarded for charity and disability services.

East Midlands community figures also featured. Grimsby disability football coach Jason Land, who is partially sighted and has worked in the sport for 26 years, received a BEM. Lincolnshire headteacher Fiona Booth and former council chief Robert Walsh both became OBEs.

I did really think it was spam at first, because I wasn't expecting a person like me to receive such an honour.

Cultural and sporting figures

Children's author Julia Donaldson became a dame, while crime writer Peter James received an OBE. Former England women's rugby coach Gary Street, who led the team to World Cup victory in 2014, was appointed an MBE. His wife Helen described him as "happy, excited, emotional" as his achievements were honoured despite limited speech after a stroke.

Pianist Stefania Passamonte, who advocates for gender equality in the music industry via her radio work, said she cried when she learned of her MBE. She is a voting member of the Recording Academy for the Grammy Awards and founded several music education institutions.

Public service focus

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the list reflects "compassion, resilience and a commitment to others" and thanked those changing lives across the nation. A 48-year veteran firefighter, Keith Prince, received a BEM for his service in Dorset, calling himself "taken aback" at the honour. Former gang member Carl Scott was appointed an MBE for protecting young people in East Sussex.

The honours span foster carers, health workers, police officers and wildlife conservationists. Three awards were made in Jersey, including to the CEO of addiction charity Silkworth and the chairman of Hands Around the World Jersey.