AIBU?
To ask if you know anyone who's got an honour (MBE, OBE etc)
Schmetterling1 · 06/05/2021 19:37
Posting for traffic as it must be fairly rare! I nominated someone for an award and really hope that they get selected. While I impatiently wait (it's a long old process!) I'm really interested in what it's like to get one or for someone you nominate to get one. I keep amusing myself with imagining how he'll feel if he gets selected (as he so deserves to and although I know not everyone agrees with the honours system, it would mean the world to him) but I don't know what actually happens. I assume you get a letter in the post? What's it like? How long later do you go to the palace? Do you know what royal you're going to meet? I basically just want to read some positive stories because I haven't told him I've nominated him (as it would be horrible for him to know and then NOT get selected) so can't really talk about it but it's on my mind, especially as it's the Queen's birthday list next month so if he phones I keep thinking maybe he's got a letter and then ending up disappointed. 
CassandraCross · 06/05/2021 19:48
Yes I knew someone who got an OBE, sadly she is dead now, she got it for all the work she had done fostering children over many years, most of them from horrendous circumstances and with significant needs. The number of children she helped before she stopped due to illness was in the 100's, a huge number of them kept in contact with her until she died. Her honour was well deserved.
Florencenotflo · 06/05/2021 19:49
My Nan has an MBE and my FIL has and OBE. And we are the most regular working class family there is. My Nan got hers for services to the charity she set up as is still running 55 years later, my FIL got one for something he did related to his work (not military but took a job supporting troops out in Iraq during the Iraq war).
If I remember rightly, they both got letters informing them they had been selected, but were not allowed to tell anyone until the actual birthday honours were announced. There was a few months between the letter and the announcements. Amazing that my Nan managed to keep it a secret!
Then the actual ceremony, both my Nan and FIL were told it could either be the Queen or Prince Charles I believe, but both had the Queen do them (years apart). There is quite a gap between the announcement and the ceremony too, I think they could have 3 guests attend with them (this was obviously pre-covid) and you had to give all of their details months before so they could do checks on every guest attending.
With my Nans one, my Grandad was too unwell on the day to go, he couldn't manage the car journey and it is a long day. But because of the checks needed, none of us could go in his space.
If your friend does get selected, tell him to start saving. The video and pictures you can purchase are £££. We paid for my Nan's as a present, and I'm glad we did as they are lovely photos.
Fingers crossed for your friend!
h0rsewithn0name · 06/05/2021 19:54
I nominated someone (a newly retired teacher) and was successful. I see it as one of my greatest achievements!
I nominated in the summer, and about 8 months later I had an email asking if she was still alive (yes seriously). I understand she got her letter about six weeks later, but it was shrouded in secrecy.
Because I was tuned into it, I checked the next summer's list as soon as it was published and there she was. I was so chuffed. The person isn't told who nominated them but she guessed.
jackstini · 06/05/2021 20:04
Yes my auntie has an MBE - for charity work. Had to keep it secret until the proper announcement came out
On the day you get taken into a room first for a briefing on what to/not to say and do. (Address Queen as Maam - rhymes with ham, don't speak unless spoken to etc.) She said the Queen was tiny, very polite, seemed to ask each person one relevant question, shake hands and give them the award
Was a really special day for her - plus 2 siblings (you got to take 2 people with you at that point, not sure if that still happens)
Hope they get it! 
78percentLindt · 06/05/2021 20:08
My dad had an MBE and Florence summed up the process perfectly.
DM,DB and I went to the Palace, it was fantastic, saw some wonderful paintings on the walk to the presentation roomy mum was fussing because I stopped to look at a couple, but we ended up on the front row if the gallery and had a good view. If I'd kept up with her, we would have been on the back row downstairs DPs MP invited us to lunch at the Houses of Parliament afterwards.
callingon · 06/05/2021 20:12
Two head teachers I have worked for - both fine I suppose altho one I am sure will have taken no prisoners to get here she is. I feel like it’s a bit of a swizz to get one for a job you get paid for but I’m sure they worked very hard. I was a bit ‘meh’ both times we got a very gushing email about them!
KingdomScrolls · 06/05/2021 20:17
One of my very long serving colleagues had an MBE for work in our field, my friend's dad is a mechanic but has an OBE for long service and dedication to working on military vehicles. Both very decent hard working people, both were told by letter but had to keep it a secret until the official announcement and went to a garden party at Buckingham palace, both met the Queen and Prince Philip. The colleague I was asked to contribute to her nomination, which I did, so it was very exciting to hear she was actually getting an honour. She was strongly advised at work after to make sure it was reflected in her email footer, she said 'i will but that's the only thing I'll add, don't dare ever speak to me about pronouns' 😁, she's brilliant
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