Order of the British Empire

Order of the British Empire
Name	Order of the British Empire
Caption	Ribbon of the Civil Division
Awarded by	The British monarch
Type	Order of chivalry
Motto	For God and the Empire
Eligibility	All living citizens of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth
For	National achievements, public service
Status	Currently constituted
Founder	George V
Grades	Knight Grand Cross (GBE), Knight Commander (KBE) / Dame Commander (DBE), Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE), Member (MBE)
Date	4 June 1917
First award	1917
Post-nominals	GBE, KBE/DBE, CBE, OBE, MBE
Higher	Royal Victorian Order
Lower	Order of the Companions of Honour
Ribbon	Plain purple, with a pearl-grey central stripe for the Military Division

Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the Civil Service. Established on 4 June 1917 by King George V, it was created to fill gaps in the British honours system by recognising the efforts of a vast number of people across the British Empire during the First World War. The order comprises five classes across both civil and military divisions, making it the most populous order in the British honours system and a uniquely broad recognition of service.

History

The order was founded during the First World War, a period when existing honours like the Order of the Bath and the Order of St Michael and St George were seen as insufficient for recognising the widespread contributions of civilians and military personnel on the home front. Its creation was announced in the London Gazette, with the first appointments made to honour those involved in war efforts, such as fundraising for the Red Cross and serving in organisations like the Women's Land Army. The order's name and structure reflected the imperial scope of the British Empire, and it continued to be awarded throughout the Second World War and the subsequent transition to the Commonwealth of Nations. A significant reform occurred in 1918 with the creation of the separate Order of the British Empire Medal, though the medal itself was temporarily discontinued between 1993 and 2012.

Grades

The order is divided into five hierarchical grades. The two highest ranks confer knighthood or damehood: the Knight Grand Cross (GBE) and Knight Commander (KBE) or Dame Commander (DBE). These are followed by the non-titular grades of Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE), and Member (MBE). Membership is also split into a Civil Division and a Military Division, the latter denoted by a distinctive ribbon and awarded for exemplary service in the British Armed Forces, such as during the Falklands War or in Royal Air Force operations. Appointments are made on the advice of the Cabinet Office and various departmental committees, with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office handling recommendations for citizens of other Commonwealth realms.

Insignia and robes

The insignia's design features a cross patonce, with the central medallion bearing the effigies of George V and Mary of Teck, surrounded by the motto "For God and the Empire". The badge for Knights and Dames Grand Cross is worn on a sash, while Commanders, Officers, and Members wear theirs on a ribbon at the neck or chest. The star, awarded to the two highest grades, is a silver star with a gold central medallion. For formal occasions like the annual Order of the Garter service at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, members may wear elaborate robes: a mantle of rose-pink satin lined with pearl-grey silk for the Civil Division, and a similar mantle in grey lined with scarlet for the Military Division.

Appointment and investiture

Appointments are announced biannually, on New Year's Day and the monarch's official birthday, with occasional supplementary lists for diplomatic service or following events like the COVID-19 pandemic. Recipients typically receive a letter from the Cabinet Office and are subsequently invested by the monarch or another senior member of the British royal family, such as Prince William or Princess Anne, at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace or Holyrood Palace. During the investiture, the insignia is presented, and recipients may be dubbed a knight with the Sword of State.

Current members and officers

The Sovereign is the order's head, served by a Grand Master, a position held by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh from 1953 until his death in 2021, and currently vacant. The order is governed by a central chancery at St. James's Palace, led by the King of Arms of the order. Notable living members span diverse fields, including actress Dame Judi Dench (DBE), musician Paul McCartney (MBE, later knighted), athlete Mo Farah (CBE), and humanitarian Nicholas Winton (Knight Bachelor, honoured for his work with the Kindertransport). The military division includes senior officers like former Chief of the Defence Staff Lord Peach (GBE).

Criticism and reform

The order has faced criticism over its association with the colonial legacy of the British Empire, with some figures like Benjamin Zephaniah publicly rejecting their appointments. It has also been scrutinised for the so-called "Cash for Honours" scandals, linking political donations to nominations, which led to investigations by the Metropolitan Police and calls for transparency reform. Debate continues over the retention of titular honours, with nations like Australia moving to discontinue recommendations for knighthoods. Reform efforts have included reviews by the House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee and the reinstatement of the Order of the British Empire Medal in 2012 by David Cameron's government to better recognise community and voluntary service.

Category:Orders of chivalry of the United Kingdom Category:1917 establishments in the United Kingdom