2020 New Year Honours: Celebrating Commonwealth Achievement
The New Year Honours are prestigious appointments made by several of the 16 Commonwealth realms to recognize and reward the exceptional contributions of citizens. These awards serve as a formal acknowledgement of "good works," ranging from artistic brilliance and scientific innovation to dedicated public service and military bravery.
The 2020 honours were officially announced in The London Gazette on December 27, 2019, coinciding with the start of January celebrations. While most realms follow this tradition, Australia maintains a separate system, with its first awards of the year occurring on January 26 for Australia Day.
Key Facts
- Official Announcement: Published in The London Gazette on December 27, 2019.
- Scope: Appointments made across various Commonwealth realms to reward citizens.
- Structure: Honours are categorized by order, grade (e.g., Knight/Dame Grand Cross), and division (Civil, Diplomatic, or Military).
- Australia: Operates an independent honours system with separate Australia Day Honours.
The British Honours System and Orders
The honours are organized by the country whose ministers advised the Monarch on the appointments. In the United Kingdom, these are divided into several distinct orders of chivalry and merit.
The Order of the Companions of Honour
This order recognizes outstanding achievements in the arts, science, medicine, and government. Notable 2020 recipients include Sir Elton Hercules John for services to music and charity, and Sir Keith Vivian Thomas for his contributions to the study of history.
Knight Bachelor
A Knight Bachelor is a man who has been knighted but is not a member of a specific order of chivalry. The 2020 list included diverse figures such as Clive Lloyd for cricket, Samuel Alexander Mendes for drama, and Simon Laurence Stevens for his leadership of the National Health Service (NHS).
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath
The Order of the Bath is typically awarded to senior military officers and high-ranking civil servants. It is divided into Military and Civil divisions, with grades including Knight/Dame Grand Cross (GCB), Knight/Dame Commander (KCB/DCB), and Companion (CB).
The Royal Victorian Order
Unlike other orders, the Royal Victorian Order is in the personal gift of the Monarch. It recognizes personal service to the Sovereign. Recipients in 2020 included photographic historian Roger Taylor and various staff members of the Royal Household and Government Houses.
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
This is one of the most common orders, rewarding a broad spectrum of service. It is divided into several grades: Knight/Dame Commander (KBE/DBE), Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE), and Member (MBE).
The 2020 Civil Division of the CBE saw a wide array of recipients, including Eoin Morgan for cricket, Peter Andrew Saville for design, and Ruth Elizabeth Sutherland for her work with Samaritans. The Military Division recognized high-ranking officers across the Royal Navy, Army, and Royal Air Force.
Specialized Medals and Service Awards
Beyond the orders of chivalry, the Crown awards specific medals for distinguished service in emergency and security sectors.
- Queen's Police Medal (QPM): For distinguished service in policing.
- Queen's Fire Service Medal (QFSM): For distinguished service in fire services.
- Queen's Ambulance Service Medal (QAM): For distinguished service in ambulance services.
- Queen's Volunteer Reserves Medal (QVRM): For distinguished service in the volunteer reserves.
- Overseas Territories Police Medal (OTPM): For meritorious service in overseas territories.
Commonwealth and Crown Dependency Appointments
The 2020 honours extended beyond the UK to include Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man) and various Commonwealth realms. For example, in Belize, Ralph Gregory Feinstein was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) for entrepreneurial leadership.
Other participating realms included Barbados, The Bahamas, Grenada, Solomon Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Christopher and Nevis, each awarding various grades of the Order of St Michael and Saint George and the Order of the British Empire.
| Order/Medal | Primary Purpose | Key Divisions |
|---|---|---|
| Order of the Companions of Honour | Outstanding achievement in arts, science, or government | Single Grade (Member) |
| Order of the Bath | Senior civil and military service | Military and Civil |
| Royal Victorian Order | Personal service to the Monarch | Various Grades |
| Order of the British Empire | Broad range of service to the community/state | Military and Civil |
| Service Medals (QPM, QFSM, QAM) | Distinguished service in emergency services | Sector-specific |
Frequently Asked Questions
When were the 2020 New Year Honours officially announced?
They were officially announced in The London Gazette on December 27, 2019.
Does Australia participate in the New Year Honours list?
No, Australia has its own independent honours system, with its first awards of the year being the Australia Day Honours on January 26.
What is the difference between the Civil and Military divisions in the Order of the British Empire?
The Civil Division recognizes contributions to the community, arts, science, and public service, while the Military Division recognizes distinguished service within the armed forces.
Who is eligible for the Royal Victorian Order?
The Royal Victorian Order is specifically for those who have provided personal service to the Monarch.
What are the different grades of the Order of the British Empire?
The grades include Knight/Dame Commander (KBE/DBE), Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE), and Member (MBE).