Ice skating legends Torvill and Dean, actor Idris Elba, England women’s manager Sarina Wiegman and Wicked star Cynthia Erivo are among the big names in King Charles‘ New Year Honours List for 2026.
England’s all-conquering women’s rugby union and football teams, who this year clinched world and European titles, are also recognised, alongside more than 1,000 others.
Sir Idris, 53, known for his roles in The Wire and Luther, is knighted for services to young people, having founded the Elba Hope Foundation, which supports community empowerment, education, youth advocacy and sustainable development.
Torvill and Dean – real names Jayne Christensen and Christopher Dean – have been handed a damehood and a knighthood respectively for services to ice skating and voluntary service.
Performers Meera Syal, best known for TV comedy Goodness Gracious Me, is also picking up a damehood.
Erivo, who played Wicked Witch Elphaba in the big screen adaptation of stage smash Wicked, is made an MBE for services to music and drama.
Of four centenarians receiving honours this year, the oldest is 102-year-old John Hearn, of Northumberland, who is given a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to judo, while the youngest is Olympic gold medal-winning sport climber Toby Roberts, 20.
Which high-profile people are in the list?
Stars of sport and culture feature strongly in this year’s honours list.
Gongs are dished out to several members of the England women’s national sides who won trophies for football and rugby union.
Dutchwoman Sarina Wiegman is given an honorary damehood for her role in helping England win the European Championship, while captain Leah Williamson is made a CBE.
Two years after they were subject of a petition calling for them to be honoured, ice skating legends Torvil and Dean have been given a damehood and a knighthood.
Here is a breakdown of some of the familiar faces on this year’s list.
Damehood
Jayne Christensen (Jayne Torvill), Olympic ice skating champion – for services to ice skating and to voluntary service
Anneliese Dodds, MP for Oxford East and former chairwoman of the Labour Party – for political and parliamentary services
Meera Syal, comedian, writer and actor best known for TV comedy Goodness Gracious Me – for services to literature, to drama and to charity
Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025. (Getty Images)
Knighthood
Roy Clarke, TV writer best known for helping create the Last of the Summer Wine, Keeping Up Appearances and Open All Hours – for services to entertainment
Christopher Dean, Olympic ice skating champion – for services to ice skating and to voluntary service
Idris Elba, actor and musician known for the Wire and Luther – for services to young pPeople
Tristram Hunt, former Labour Party MP and director of the Victoria and Albert Museum – for services to museums
Idris Elba has been knighted. (Getty)
CBE
Daniel Levy, former chairman of Tottenham Hotspur football club – for services to charity and the community in Tottenham
Max Richter, composer whose work has featured in films by Martin Scorsese and Ridley Scott – for services to music
Leah Williamson, European Championship-winning captain of the England women’s football team – for services to association football
Footballer Leah Williamson gets a CBE. (Alamy)
OBE
Warwick Davis, Harry Potter actor – for services to drama and charity
Richard Osman, Pointless presenter and author of the Thursday Murder Club – for services to literature and broadcasting
Gabby Logan, Match of the Day host – for services to sports broadcasting and to charity
Matt Lucas, comedian, wrtier and actor – for services to drama
John Eric Paul Mitchell, head coach, England women’s national rugby union team – for services to rugby union
Marlie Marie Packer and Dr Zoe Rosalind Stratford (Zoe Aldcroft), England women’s national rugby union team players and 2025 Rugby World Cup winners – for services to rugby union football
Matt Lucas has been given an OBE. (Getty)
MBE
Bill Bailey, comedian – for services to entertainment
Sally Lindsay, actor – for services to drama
Cynthia Erivo, Actor, singer, producer and author – for services to music and drama
Ellie Goulding, singer and former UN goodwill ambassador – for services to biodiversity and the climate
Alex Greenwood, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone, European Championship-winning footballers – for services to association football
Ellie Kildunne, Megan Elizabeth Jones and Sadia Kabeya, England women’s national rugby union team players and 2025 Rugby World Cup winners – for services to rugby union
Paula Jane Radcliffe, broadcaster and athlete – for services to sport
Toby Roberts, Olympic gold medallist – for services to sport climbing
Phil Spencer, TV presenter and patron of St Mungo’s – for charitable services
Actor and Wicked star Cynthia Erivo has been honoured with an MBE. (Getty)
What are the New Year Honours?
The King has the sole right of granting titles of honour on “deserving people from all walks of life, in public recognition of their merit, service or bravery”, the Royal Family’s official website explains.
Recipients of knighthoods, OBEs, MBEs and other such honours are announced twice a year, once on the monarch’s official birthday and again in the New Year Honours List.
Separate military lists are published known as operational lists and cover military activity overseas.
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis was made a Knight Commander of the British Empire at a ceremony in July 2023, having made the New Year Honours list. (Alamy)
Most honours are awarded on the advice of the Cabinet Office, and anybody can make a recommendation if they know someone they believe to be worthy.
Sometimes, on the advice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, honorary decorations are awarded to people who are neither British nor Commonwealth nationals but who have made a significant contribution to relations between the UK and their own country. This is known as an honorary award.
Where can I find the list?
The list is typically published by the Cabinet Office .
You will be able to find the list on the Gov.uk website, or in the London Gazette, the Crown’s formal public record. Here is the Gazette’s publication of the 2025 New Years Honours list.
What do the different honours mean?
The honours bestowed by the King recognise different types and levels of service. Some of the most well-known ones are shown below, but you can find more of them here on the government’s website.
Knighthood or damehood: This is awarded for having a major contribution in any activity, usually at national level. Other people working in the nominee’s area will see their contribution as inspirational and significant, requiring commitment over a long period of time. The knighthood is also usually attached to one of several ‘orders’, which further signifies the nature of the award. For example, knight and damehoods of the Order of the British Empire (GBE, DBE and KBE) reward contributions to the arts, sciences, charity and public service, while the Order of St Michael and St George primarily recognises service to the UK overseas or internationally.
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE): This is awarded for having a prominent but lesser role at national level, or a leading role at regional level. You can also get one for a distinguished or innovative contribution to any area.
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE): This is awarded for having a major local role in any activity, including people whose work has made them known nationally in their chosen area.
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE): Awarded for an outstanding achievement or service to the community. This will have had a long-term, significant impact and stand out as an example to others.
British Empire Medal (BEM): Given for ‘hands on’ service in a particular area or innovative work which has delivered real impact in a short period of time.