15:06, 15 June 2026
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
As we hit the midpoint of the year, another set of honours has been given o to mark the extraordinary achievements of many across the UK. The King’s Birthday Honours List coincides with the King’s Official Birthday celebrations (hence the name).
With over one thousand names on the list, let’s get into some of the names that stood out to the Smiley News team.
Patrick Doyle —- Scottish Film Composer, awarded for services to Film. Known for his works in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Brave, Hamlet and Sense and Sensibility.
Dame Helen Lydia Mirren DBE — Actor awarded for services to Drama. Considered one of Britain's greatest actors and has appeared in Queen and The Thursday Muder Club.
Charlotte Tilbury MBE — President, Chair, Chief Creative Officer and Sole Founder, Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Ltd. For services to the Beauty and Cosmetics Industry
Dr Anthony Frank Iommi — Musician and Co-Founder, Black Sabbath. For services to Music and to Charity. Best known as Tony Iommi, guitarist in heavy metal band Black Sabbath.
Authors to some of our favourite childhood books were awarded Dame titles. Julia Donaldson, author of the very loved Gruffalo book, and Malorie Blackman, author of the essential Noughts and Crosses series graced the list for their services to literature.
Malorie Blackman OBE — Services to Literature.
Julia Catherine Donaldson CBE – Services to Literature.
From members of the England Lioness team to legendary sports moguls were graced with a range of honours.
David Barry Dein MBE —- Founder, The Twinning Project. For services to Football being the co-owner and vice chairman of Arsenal FC, and to Charity.
Lou Macari — Lately Footballer and Founder, Macari Foundation. For services to Association Football and to Homeless People in Stoke-on-Trent.
Kevin Sinfield CBE — Coach, England National Rugby Union Team and Fundraiser. For services to Rugby League, Rugby Union and campaigning for the MND Community
Professor Patrick Philip Vernon OBE — Campaigner for Racial Equality and Social Justice. For services to Racial Equality
Chloe Kelly — For services to Association Football.
Michelle Agyemang — For services to Association Football. Also the youngest person on this list at 20 years old.
Lauren Elizabeth James —- For services to Association Football.
Hannah Hampton — For services to Association Football.
Alessia Russo — For services to Association Football.
Jess Carter — For services to Association Football.
Dr Damitha Adikaari — Director, Science and Innovation for Climate and Energy, Department of Energy Security and Net Zero. For services to Research and Innovation to Tackle Climate Change.
Stephen Olumbunmi Akinsanya — Barrister. For services to the Prevention of Knife Crime and Youth Violence.
Wendy Mira Becker — For services to Business and to Charitable Causes.
Claire Jane Bennett — Director, Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability, Welsh Government. For services to Vulnerable People, Children and to Community Cohesion.
Colin Everton Blair & Mandy Blair — Foster Carer, Birmingham Children's Trust. For services to Foster Care.
Martin Oliver Blakebrough —- Lately Chief Executive Officer, Kaleidoscope Project. For services to People Affected by Substance Misuse.
Mel Bound — Founder, This Woman Runs. For services to Women's Community Sport.
David Bowles — Head of Campaigns and Public Affairs, RSPCA. For services to Animal Welfare.
Craig Andrew Wyn Crowley MBE — Chief Executive Officer, Action Deafness and Inaugural Co-Chair, The British Sign Language Advisory Board. For services to Deaf and Deafblind People.
Professor David John GUNNELL FMedSci —- Emeritus Professor of Epidemiology, Bristol Medical School. For services to Public Health and Suicide Prevention.
Neil Helsop OBE Chief Executive, Charities Aid Foundation. For services to Philanthropy and Charity.
Dr Sarah Joan Hughes — Chief Executive Officer, Mind. For services to Mental Health and to Civil Society.
Yasmin Akhtar Khan — Chief Executive Officer, Halo Project. For services to Ending Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women.
Dr Beverly Isadore Lindsay OBE DL — Chair, Association of Jamaican Nationals UK. For services to the West Midlands and to Charity.
Ian Jeffrey McDermott — Chief Executive Officer, Peabody Trust. For services to Social Housing.
Merope Mills — Patient Safety Campaigner. For services to Patient Safety.
Dr Eva Kirsten Elisabet Rausing DL — Founder, Alborada Trust. For services to Charity, to Animal Welfare, to Horseracing and Bloodstock.
David Alan Sproxton CBE — Co-Founder and Trustee, Aardman Animations. For services to the Animation Industry, the Creative Industries and to Charity.
Professor Heather Vivienne Stevens CBE — For services to the Environment, to Young People and to Philanthropy in Wales.
Anna Kim Taylor OBE — Executive Director, The Food Foundation. For services to Reforming the Food System.
This positive news article aligns with the UN SDG Partnerships For The Goals.
Photo credits: Getty Images
