Inside Britain’s honours system: Gongs named after the defunct Empire, naughty nicknames for MBEs and OBEs and the ‘black book’ for people who put their own names forward – BRIAN HOEY reveals all

The honours system is actually an age-old British custom.

However, in truth, practically each nation on the planet, from the totalitarian regimes of North Korea and China to Western democracies like Italy, France, and even america, has its personal approach of paying respects.

Right here in the UK, we nonetheless, considerably out of nostalgia, confer most of our honours within the title of the British Empire, although it not exists.

When the honours record is launched on the King's birthday it would function loads of 'Empire'.

The vast majority of awards that bear this time period are the modest MBE (Member of the British Empire), the middle-management OBE (Order of the British Empire), the CBE (Commander of the British Empire) – which is one step under the KBE (Knight of the British Empire).

Folks awarded the MBE generally prefer to level out that the letters imply 'my bloody efforts', whereas OBE means 'different b*****'s efforts.'

Attitudes to the honours system additionally range throughout the orders themselves.

Probably the most prestigious honour of St Michael and St George is reserved for diplomats and high-ranking civil service officers.

The bottom type of the order is the CMG (Companion of St Michael and St George).

When an officer receives this award, his colleagues (silently) nickname him 'Name Me God.'

The very best rank on this class is GCMG (Knight Grand Cross, St Michael and St George).

The few individuals who attain these nice heights are known as (God calls me God).

There’s a strict order of priority in honours awarded on this nation, with probably the most prestigious being these granted solely by the Sovereign: the Order of the Garter, the Order of the Thistle, the Order of Benefit, the Companion of Honour and the Royal Victorian Order.

The king, who’s the supply of all honours, confers these honours with out consulting anybody. It’s fully at his discretion.

All different awards are nonetheless given by him, however on the 'recommendation' of the federal government of the day, and he isn’t allowed to refuse an award until he has a severe objection.

Not everybody nominated for the award has determined to simply accept it. There are a number of notable figures who’ve declined to simply accept it, together with John Cleese – who declined not solely the CBE however later a life peerage as nicely.

David Bowie declined a knighthood, as did Stephen Hawking.

Honor Blackman declined a CBE as a result of she mentioned she was a republican. Vanessa Redgrave declined a damehood however later accepted a CBE.

Maybe probably the most authentic cause for declining an honour got here from George Bernard Shaw, who was requested to simply accept the Order of Benefit however declined on the grounds that 'the advantage of authorship can solely be decided by posthumous historical past.'

How, then, can one get hold of one in every of these treasured bells?

A listing of roughly 1,350 names is printed twice a 12 months: at New 12 months's and in June on the monarch's official birthday.

The names are chosen by the Honours Committee, which meets at 10 Downing Avenue.

The committee is chosen from senior civil servants and unbiased members who will not be a part of the federal government.

As soon as the Committee decides on these it deems applicable to be included, the record is submitted to the Prime Minister and finally to Her Majesty for approval.

Whether it is determined to incorporate your title on the Honours Checklist, you’ll be invited to one in every of 26 investiture ceremonies held annually within the ballroom of both Buckingham Palace or Windsor Fort.

These are normally organized in alphabetical order, so in case your title is Andrews, you'll be close to the entrance in January; in case your title is Ziegler, you could be close to the again in November.

You'll be instructed that no cameras or cellphones are allowed within the ballroom, however every investiture is filmed and every recipient can purchase a duplicate for £120, with their magical second fastidiously inserted.

The Palace by no means misses a beat and, as it’s normally a as soon as in a lifetime event, 90 per cent of attendees go dwelling with a particular reminiscence of their large day.

Anybody can nominate a person or lady for an honor, however the best way to ensure you don't obtain it’s to appoint your self.

It is a assured approach to get your title faraway from this record and any future lists.

A 'Black Guide' is saved through which are entered the names of all of the individuals (there are a whole lot of them) who’ve put their names ahead, and as soon as a reputation is entered there it’s by no means eliminated.

Official steering is obtainable on tips on how to apply, why profitable candidates shall be chosen and from which areas.

If you happen to suppose you deserve an honour, the best approach is to get at the least 10 of your mates – not relations – to write down a letter on to the Honours Committee, or to the Lord Mayor, Mayoress or Chief of your council, or the Lord Lieutenant of your county.

All of those affect the selection and are extra vital than a non-public citizen.

As soon as the nomination is acquired it may take as much as eighteen months to inform the recipient. They need to all be fastidiously screened earlier than choice.

Then there's the political route. Because the Twenties, individuals who make massive donations to political causes have been anticipated to be honored.

David Lloyd George, prime minister throughout World Conflict I, was repeatedly accused of promoting knighthoods.

Tony Blair's Labour authorities was additionally embroiled in the same scandal. In 2006 it was revealed that each donor who had given £1,000,000 to the Labour Occasion since 1997 had acquired a reward.

So, within the Honors system, as in virtually the whole lot, cash is the whole lot.