Dame Helen Mirren and photojournalist Sir Don McCullin have been appointed to one of the most exclusive orders in the British honours system.
The pair have been named Members of the Order of the Companions of Honour in the King’s Birthday Honours, joining a distinguished group limited to just 65 people at any one time.
The honour is awarded to those who have made a major contribution to the arts, science, medicine or public service over a sustained period and is regarded as one of the highest distinctions that can be bestowed by the Crown.
Dame Helen, one of Britain’s most acclaimed actresses, is recognised following a career spanning more than five decades across theatre, film and television.
Her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in the 2006 film The Queen earned her an Academy Award and international acclaim, while her extensive body of work has established her as one of the most respected figures in British acting.
The actress was previously appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2003 for services to drama.
Joining her in receiving the honour is Sir Don McCullin, widely regarded as one of the greatest photojournalists of the modern era.
For more than six decades, Sir Don’s powerful images have documented conflict, famine and human suffering around the world, including during the Vietnam War, the Troubles in Northern Ireland and conflicts across Africa and the Middle East.
His work has been credited with bringing the realities of war into homes across the world and helping to shape public understanding of some of the defining events of the twentieth century.
Sir Don was knighted in 2017 for services to photography.
The Order of the Companions of Honour was founded by King George V in 1917 and remains one of the rarest honours in the United Kingdom.
Membership is restricted to 65 people, excluding honorary overseas members, and recipients are entitled to use the post-nominal letters CH.
Previous members have included Sir Winston Churchill, Sir David Attenborough, Dame Judi Dench, Sir Paul McCartney and Professor Stephen Hawking.
The appointments of Dame Helen Mirren and Sir Don McCullin recognise two careers that have shaped British cultural life and earned admiration far beyond the United Kingdom.
Both now join one of the most select groups in public life, reserved for individuals whose achievements are considered truly exceptional.
