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Honours
The UK honours system recognises exceptional achievement and service to the nation. There are several different types of award, each one recognising a different type of contribution.
There are 3 lists of honours, which are published in The London Gazette twice a year, at New Year and in mid-June on the date of The Queen’s official birthday. They are the Prime Minister’s List, the Diplomatic Service and Overseas List, and the Defence Services List.
The FCO has particular responsibility for the Diplomatic Service and Overseas List. This list recognises service given overseas, or service in the UK with a substantial international component. (Lists from previous years can be viewed on the The London Gazette website)
For more information about UK honours see the Directgov website.
Honorary awards
Non-British nationals who have made a significant contribution to the UK can also be considered for UK honours. These awards are classed as honorary and granted on the advice of the FCO. Once they have been approved by The Queen they are published on the Honorary awards page of this website.
Foreign awards to UK citizens
UK citizens need to have Her Majesty The Queen's permission to accept and wear a foreign award. This permission will only be given if the award meets the UK Rules on the acceptance of foreign awards [PDF, 136KB, new window]. The award should be for service to the foreign state within the past 5 years. Crown servants are not normally awarded permission to accept and wear foreign awards.
When a foreign government wishes to bestow one of their awards on a UK citizen, their Embassy in London should contact the FCO's Royal Households and Honours Secretariat with the relevant details. Providing the award meets the rules, the Secretariat will issue clearance for the individual concerned to accept the award.
Royal Households and Honours Secretariat also seek the Queen's permission for the individual to wear a foreign award, once it has been cleared and presented.
DS&O List
The latest Diplomatic Service and Overseas List, published as part of the New Year Honours 2012.
How to nominate
How to nominate someone for an award.
Contact us
Honours.Secretariat@ fco.gov.uk
Royal Households and Honours Secretariat
Protocol Directorate
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Old Admiralty Building
London
SW1A 2PA
