King Charles awards rare birthday honour to Dame Helen Mirren

King Charles has chosen to highlight actress Dame Helen Mirren, rugby league player Kevin Sinfield, and six Lionesses footballers in his Birthday Honours list for 2026. 

The monarch, 77, will recognise people across the UK, from celebrities to ordinary people who have made a difference. They are awarded by the King following recommendations by the Prime Minister and other senior ministers in government. 

Dame Helen Mirren, who won an Oscar for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in her 2006 film The Queen, was made a Companion of Honour for services to drama. There are only 65 Companions of Honour at any one time.

Meanwhile, Kevin Sinfield was knighted, becoming Sir Kevin, for his services to the MND community, as well as for services to league and union rugby.

“I am deeply honoured and grateful to receive this award on behalf of the rugby and MND communities,” Sir Kevin said.

“Since I first played rugby when I was seven, rugby league has given me so much.

“I am particularly proud to follow in the footsteps of the great Sir Billy Boston with rugby league’s second-ever knighthood in over 130 years of the sport. Sir Billy overcame so much in his life and is still loved by the game.”

Who else is on the Honours list?

In football, Chloe Kelly, who scored the winning penalty in last summer’s nail-biting Euros final, was one of the players to be made an MBE.

At 20 years old, rising star forward Michelle Agyemang is the youngest recipient on the list.

Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, forwards Alessia Russo and Lauren James, and defender Jess Carter were also honoured.

Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi became an MBE for his services to music and charity, and Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley received the same honour for her services to drama and her charity work.

Lisa, who turns 50 in July, said: “Wow, if this is not my best 50th birthday present, being awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours list, I don’t know what is. To say I am humbled is an absolute understatement.

“Thank you so much, my heart is the warmest it could ever be.”

David Sproxton and Peter Lord, the co-founders of the Academy Award-winning animation studio behind beloved characters such as Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep, were both knighted for their services to the creative industries and to charity.

Broadcaster and musician Cerys Matthews became an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to music.

DJ Judge Jules, who became an MBE, said the honour feels like “a reward for my industry” while TV presenter Anneka Rice was made an MBE for her services to charity and broadcasting.

The Gruffalo writer Julia Donaldson and Noughts and Crosses author Malorie Blackman both received damehoods for their services to literature.

Dame Julia was the UK’s best-selling author last year, overtaking Harry Potter creator JK Rowling amid the Gruffalo’s continued popularity and the success of more recent characters like Zog the dragon.

Beauty entrepreneur and make-up artist to the stars, Charlotte Tilbury, was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

The 53-year-old founded her eponymous beauty brand in 2013 after working as a celebrity make-up artist for more than 20 years, having created looks for the likes of Kate Moss and Kim Kardashian.

The oldest recipient was 101-year-old Pauline Hough, who received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to theatre and to the community in Nantwich, Cheshire.

How does the UK honours system work?

Nearly 1,200 people from across the UK received honours in the latest list.

The honours are typically awarded by the King, Prince William, or Princess Anne, typically at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, or the Palace of Holyroodhouse. 

They are published twice a year – at New Year and at the King’s official birthday in June, which is also marked by the Trooping the Colour parade in London. 

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Across the UK, people are quietly changing lives and strengthening their communities. This Honours List is a chance to recognise them.

“Their dedication shows how lasting change is built – through compassion, resilience and a commitment to others.

“It speaks to the decent, hopeful country we are proud to be, and on behalf of the whole nation, I want to say thank you.”