Order of the British Empire facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
CBE neck decoration (in civil division)
Awarded by the monarch of the United Kingdom
Type	Order of chivalry
Established	1917
Motto	For God and the Empire
Eligibility	British nationals, citizens of the Commonwealth realms, or anyone who has made a significant achievement for the United Kingdom
Awarded for	Prominent national or regional achievements
Status	Currently constituted
Sovereign	Charles III
Grand Master	Queen Camilla
Grades	Knight/Dame Grand Cross (GBE) Knight/Dame Commander (KBE/DBE) Commander (CBE) Officer (OBE) Member (MBE)
Former grades	Medal of the Order for Gallantry
Precedence
Next (higher)	Royal Victorian Order
Next (lower)	Varies, depending on rank
Military ribbon Civil ribbon

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a special award system in the United Kingdom. It's like a club of honour that recognizes people for their amazing contributions. These contributions can be in arts, sciences, charity work, or public service.

King George V started this Order on 4 June 1917. It has five different levels, for both civilians and military members. The top two levels allow a person to be called a "knight" (for men) or a "dame" (for women). There's also a related award called the British Empire Medal. People who get this medal are connected to the Order but are not full members.

At first, people from the United Kingdom and other parts of the British Empire (like Canada or Australia) could suggest who should get these awards. Today, some Commonwealth realms (countries that share the British monarch as their head of state) still suggest people for these honours. Many other Commonwealth countries now have their own award systems.

Understanding the Award Levels
Using "Sir" and "Dame" Titles
A Look Back at History
Who Leads the Order?
Awards for Bravery (Gallantry)
What the Awards Look Like
The Order's Chapel
Special Rights and Titles
People Who Said "No Thanks"
Losing an Honour
See also

Understanding the Award Levels

The Order of the British Empire has five main levels, from the highest to the lowest:

Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross (GBE): This is the highest level.
Knight Commander or Dame Commander (KBE or DBE): The second highest level.
Commander (CBE): A significant honour.
Officer (OBE): A common award for good service.
Member (MBE): The entry level for many recipients.

Using "Sir" and "Dame" Titles

If you are a Knight or Dame Grand Cross, or a Knight or Dame Commander, you get to use a special title. Men are called Sir before their first name, and women are called Dame. Most people who receive these titles are citizens of the UK or Commonwealth realms.

Sometimes, people from other countries get an "honorary" knighthood. This means they can use the special letters after their name (like KBE), but they don't get to use "Sir" or "Dame". However, if an honorary knight later becomes a citizen of a Commonwealth realm, they can then use the title. For example, the Irish broadcaster Terry Wogan became "Sir Terry Wogan" after he also became a British citizen.

A Look Back at History

MBE (civil division) awarded in 1918

The Star of a Knight Grand Cross of the Order

Close-up of an MBE from 1945 showing "For God and the Empire"

King George V created this Order to fill a gap in the British honours system. Before this, other awards mostly honoured royals, military leaders, or high-ranking government officials. King George V wanted to recognize the many people who helped during First World War in non-fighting roles.

The Order was first created with just one type of award. But in 1918, it was split into two groups: Military and Civil. The motto of the Order is For God and the Empire.

The British Empire Medal (BEM) was also created at the same time. It was for smaller achievements. The UK stopped giving out the BEM in 1993 but started again in 2012. Some Commonwealth countries still award the BEM today.

In 2004, some people suggested changing the Order's name to "Order of British Excellence." They felt the old name, "British Empire," was not suitable anymore.

Who Leads the Order?

The British monarch is the leader of the Order. They choose all the other important people in the Order. The second most important person is the Grand Master.

Here are the people who have been the Grand Master:

Number	Name	Took office	Left office
1	Edward, Prince of Wales	4 June 1917	20 January 1936
2	Queen Mary	27 March 1936	24 March 1953
3	The Duke of Edinburgh	1 June 1953	9 April 2021
4	Queen Camilla	23 April 2024	present

There are limits to how many people can be in the higher ranks of the Order. For example, only 300 Knights and Dames Grand Cross can exist at one time. However, there are no limits for the lower ranks (Officer and Member). The Order of the British Empire has over 100,000 living members around the world.

For women, becoming a Dame Commander is the lowest rank that gives them the "Dame" title. For men, the "Sir" title can also be given as a "Knight Bachelor," which is not part of an Order.

Awards for Bravery (Gallantry)

A silver oak-leaf emblem denotes gallantry

Even though the Order was meant for good service, it also started to be given for bravery. This happened a lot during World War II for soldiers and civilians. These awards were for bravery that was important but not quite at the level of the George Medal.

Since 1958, awards for bravery in the Order have a special sign. People wear two crossed silver oak leaves on the ribbon of their badge. This shows they received the award for gallantry. This special award for gallantry was replaced in 1974 by the Queen's Gallantry Medal.

What the Awards Look Like

Members of the Order wear special clothes and badges on important days. These items look different depending on their rank.

Knight and Dame Grand Cross insignia
Mantle worn by Knights and Dames Grand Cross (GBE)
Close-up of the Star on the mantle
Collar and Star of a Knight or Dame Grand Cross of the Order

The mantle is a special robe worn by Knights and Dames Grand Cross. It used to be yellow and blue, but now it's rose pink and pearl-grey.
The collar is a gold chain, also worn by Knights and Dames Grand Cross. It has medallions with royal symbols.

On special "collar days," members can wear the collar over their uniform or formal clothes. The badge hangs from the collar. Collars are returned when the person dies, but other badges can be kept.

For less formal occasions, simpler items are used:

The star is an eight-pointed silver star. Knights and Dames Grand Cross and Knights and Dames Commander wear it on their left chest. It has a crimson ring with the Order's motto.
The badge is the main award worn by all members. It hangs from a ribbon. The ribbon used to be purple, but since 1937, it's rose-pink with pearl-grey edges. Military awards have an extra pearl-grey stripe. The badge is a cross shape. It shows either Britannia or King George V and Queen Mary, surrounded by the Order's motto. The badges are different sizes and colours depending on the rank.
The British Empire Medal is made of silver. It shows Britannia and the motto, with "For Meritorious Service" written on it.

Insignia
Badge as awarded to a female MBE

There is also a small lapel pin that members can buy to wear every day. It shows the Order's badge inside a circle of its ribbon colours.

Order of the British Empire ribbon bars
	Civil	Military
1917–1935
Since 1936

The Order's Chapel

Chapel of the Order in the crypt of St Paul's Cathedral (photographed in 2013). The banners are those of the Sovereign (right) and of the Grand Master (left) of the Order as they were then in office.

The Order of the British Empire has its own special chapel. It is located in the crypt (a basement area) of St Paul's Cathedral in London. This chapel was officially opened in 1960. Important ceremonies for the Order are held in the main part of the cathedral every four years.

Special Rights and Titles

Knights, Dames and Commanders of the Order may display its circlet around (and suspend its Badge below) their coat of arms.

Knights Grand Cross and Knights Commander use "Sir" before their first name. Dames Grand Cross and Dames Commander use "Dame." Wives of Knights can use "Lady" before their husband's last name.

All members of the Order can use special letters after their name. For example, GBE for Knights Grand Cross, KBE for Knights Commander, and MBE for Members. The British Empire Medal is shown as BEM.

People Who Said "No Thanks"

Some famous people have chosen not to accept an award from the Order of the British Empire. In 2003, a newspaper listed people like David Bowie and John Cleese who had turned down the honour.

The Order has also faced some criticism because its name includes "British Empire." This name reminds some people of a time when Britain ruled many other countries. For example, the poet Benjamin Zephaniah refused his Officer award in 2003. He said it reminded him of "thousands of years of brutality."

C. S. Lewis, the author of The Chronicles of Narnia, also quietly declined an honour in 1951. He wanted to avoid any political connections.

John Lennon of The Beatles returned his MBE award in 1969. He did this as part of his protests for peace. He also famously said that he and the other Beatles deserved their awards for entertaining people, while some military members got theirs for "killing people."

Losing an Honour

Only the monarch can take away an honour. There is a special committee that looks into cases where someone might lose their award. If a person wants to give up their honour, they can return the badge. However, they still officially hold the honour unless the monarch formally takes it away.