King Charles III has approved the removal of nine honors previously awarded through the United Kingdom’s Order of the British Empire, including MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) and OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) titles. These honors recognize significant contributions in areas such as public service, arts, science, charity, and business, and are usually announced during the New Year Honours or the King’s Birthday Honours and formally presented at ceremonies at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle.
Revoking such awards is rare and typically follows a review by the Honours Forfeiture Committee, which examines cases where a recipient’s conduct—such as criminal convictions, professional misconduct, or actions damaging to the reputation of the honors system—may justify forfeiture. Among the most widely reported cases is former rugby player Stuart Hogg, whose MBE from the 2024 New Year Honours was annulled after he pleaded guilty to domestic abuse charges. Other individuals whose honors were revoked include Ian Ashbold, Lloyd Hamilton, Angela Middleton, Nigel O’Connor, Tony Reilly, Paul Allen Rose, Anant Shah, and Graham Trewhella. Although such removals attract public attention, they remain uncommon and are intended to protect the integrity of the UK’s long-standing honors system.
