There are few things in this world that have incredible social standing, but being knighted might top the list.
It’s a tradition here in the UK that a long list of notable people who have done tremendous amounts of work for the public or economy are honoured through knighthood, and some are even given titles.
At the end of every year, the list of people are confirmed and are announced on 29 December, but there is one name on the list for the 2024 New Year Honours that people just aren’t having.
King Charles III will be honouring over 1,000 ‘ordinary’ people who have done amazing things across the Commonwealth and the titles given are generally incredibly well-deserved... expect not everyone thinks so for one person this time around.
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Let’s talk a look at the main Honours for 2024 and see why people are getting so up in arms.
The Archbishop of Canterbury
The King has made the Archbishop of Canterbury a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (RVO) in recognition of his prominent role in the coronation.
Game Of Thrones star Emilia Clarke
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Clarke, who thought she was going to die from a brain bleed after surviving two aneurysms, has been made an MBE for setting up a charity to help those with brain disorders.
Great British Bake Off's Paul Hollywood
Hollywood has been made an MBE for his services to baking and broadcasting.
Michael Eavis CBE
The Glastonbury co-founder was knighted for his services to music and charity - and also presumably for creating fab festivals.
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Tony Blackburn
The Veteran broadcaster has been made an OBE after almost six decades on the BBC and commercial radio stations.
Former Cabinet minister Sajid Javid
The Bromsgrove MP, who has been knighted for his political and public services, has recently been calling for MP’s to undergo suicide prevention training to save lives and is also outspoken about changing how we talk about women’s safety.
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X Factor winner Leona Lewis
The singer has been made an OBE for services to music and charity... and maybe also due to her hit song, Bleeding Love?
Sir Ridley Scott
The Alien director has been awarded an upgraded knighthood.
Jilly Cooper
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Author Jilly Cooper said she is 'incredibly bowled over' after being given a damehood in the New Year Honours list.
Tim Martin
The Wetherspoon boss has been knighted, which has caused the ultimate stir online after the outspoken businessman was added to the list of Honours.
Being renowned for lobbying for Brexit, among other not-so-popular opinions, online users were up in arms about his inclusion on the list.
Someone online claimed: “If Tim Martin, Jacob Rees Mogg and Michael Fabricant have got knighthoods, then Knighthoods are worthless.
“You couldn’t f**king pay me to wear one of those medals now. A Jim’ll Fix It badge’d be less crass.”
While another pointed out "Tim Martin's Wetherspoons is going bankrupt due to Brexit, which he paid 200k to support. But he is getting a Knighthood."
However, there are those who support him too, such as this X user who said: “Sir Tim Martin a fantastic British entrepreneur, restorer of dilapidated old buildings and the employer of 43,000 people.
"He has paid in excess of £6 billion in tax over the past decade. What a great man. Who agrees?”
As for the rest of the list of Honours, ex-Leeds Rhinos players Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield made CBEs too, but this wasn’t contested by online users as Rob Burrow’s documentary about living with MND touched hearts across the UK as he shared his story about going from being a rugby player to being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
Lionesses' goalkeeper Mary Earps has also been recognised, and it’s no surprise considering she has gained quite the following on social media following her knockout performance during the FIFA Women's World Cup.
Also included is author Kate Mosse, who has been awarded a CBE, and the father of the late teenager Molly Russell, who said the 14-year-old would have been 'very proud' of her legacy of suicide prevention as he was made an MBE.
Renowned TV presenter Jeff Stelling has also been made an MBE - considering he has a large fanbase due to his career on Gillette Soccer Saturday for Sky Sports and hosting coverage for the Champions League, we’re not shocked there.
Topics: Royal Family, Sport, UK News, Wetherspoons
Britt Jones