| 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[1] |
| Status | Currently constituted |
| Sovereign | Charles III |
| Grand Master | Queen Camilla |
| Grades |
|
| Former grades | Medal of the Order for Gallantry |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Royal Victorian Order |
| Next (lower) | Varies, depending on rank |
_Ribbon.svg){kind=small} Military ribbon _Ribbon.svg){kind=small} Civil ribbon | |
The Most Excellent 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.[2] It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two of which make the recipient either a knight if male or a dame if female.[3] There is also the related British Empire Medal, whose recipients are affiliated with, but not members of, the order.
The order was established on 4 June 1917 by King George V, who created the order to recognise 'such persons, male or female, as may have rendered or shall hereafter render important services to Our Empire'.[3] Equal recognition was to be given for services rendered in the UK and overseas.[4] Today the majority of recipients are UK citizens, though a number of Commonwealth realms outside the UK continue to make appointments to the order.[5] Honorary awards may be made to citizens of other nations of which the order's sovereign is not the head of state.
- ^ "Guide to the Honours". BBC News. BBC. 10 June 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
- ^ "Order of the British Empire". The Official Website of the British Monarchy. The Royal Household. Archived from the original on 27 March 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2009.
- ^ a b "No. 30250". The London Gazette (2nd supplement). 24 August 1917. pp. 8791–8999.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
CentenaryHistory2was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Commonwealth New Year and Birthday Honours lists (1981–2024)". The Gazette. His Majesty's Stationery Office. Retrieved 7 August 2024.