For the first time since its institution in 1917, the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) now has its full 65 members meaning no more recipients can be added.
The prestigious honour is restricted to 65 people and following The Queen’s 2018 New Year Honours list being released, it can now be revealed that the last three remaining places have been filled.
The three new members are historian Lady Antonia Fraser, broadcaster Melvyn, Lord Bragg of Wigton, and historian and Warden of St. Antony’s College Oxford, Margaret MacMillan.
As the Order is now full to capacity, new members can only be added once existing recipients die.
Currently, 58 of the 65 members of the Order are aged 70 or over. The CH is awarded for the most outstanding achievements at a national level.
The youngest Companion of Honour is former Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, who was awarded a CH in David Cameron’s resignation list.
The oldest Companion of Honour is 100-year-old Dame Vera Lynn who was appointed in 2016.
Other Companions of Honour include J.K. Rowling, Dame Maggie Smith and Sir David Attenborough.
This year, 12 people have been appointed to the order, with a further 11 being appointed in 2016. As a result, the Order is full to capacity.
Since 1917, there have been 363 recipients. This includes three honourary companions from outside the Commonwealth.
2017 has marked the centenary of the Order of the Companion of Honour. Nine people were appointed in The Queen’s Birthday Honours, with the new three members appointed in the 2018 New Year list.
Melvyn Bragg will become a Companion of Honour for services to broadcasting and the arts.
Author and historian Lady Antonia Fraser DBE will be appointed for services to literature.
Historian and Warden of St. Antony’s College Oxford, Margaret MacMillan, is recognised with a CH on the Diplomatic Service and Overseas List.
Isn’t it time for J.K. to be Damed? She is a right good philanthropist and writer. Does everyone have to be semi-decrepit before knighthood?