The first King’s Birthday Honours of the reign of Charles III include a knighthood for one of Britain’s most famous novelists that was conferred just before he died.
Sir Martin Amis received his honour the day before he passed away. The Cabinet Office made the unusual move of conferring the knighthood ahead of the release of the list to ensure that Sir Martin was honoured.
The writer received his honour on May 18th 2023 and died on May 19th 2023.
He was knighted for his services to literature in a career which produced some of the most influential British novels of the 20th and 21st centuries including The Rachel Papers and London Fields.
Sir Martin’s family will be invited to collect his honour on his behalf at an investiture at a later date.
Another famous British novelist, and a friend of Sir Martin, is also recognised on the King’s Birthday Honours List. Ian McEwan is made a Companion of Honour.
Dame Anna Wintour is also made a Companion of Honour as is Sir John Bell, Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford University.
There is also special recognition for Terry Waite, who has spent decades working to free hostages around the world. He himself was kept captive for five years in Lebanon.
He has been appointed to the Order of St. Michael and St. George and is now Sir Terry Waite.
TV presenter, Davina McCall, is made an MBE for services to broadcasting while Ian Wright becomes an OBE for his work in football and for charity. Radio star, Ken Bruce, is made an MBE for his on air services as well as his charity work which includes raising awareness of autism.
One of the best known actresses in the UK, Vicky McClure, is made an MBE for services to drama and charity. There are also CBEs for two other leading actors, Celia Imrie and Kenneth Cranham.
