To ask if you know anyone who's got an honour (MBE, OBE etc)

[Schmetterling1]

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.

Yes - the lady who runs my local boarding kennels has an MBE !
It’s also a rescue centre and she got it for services to animals. You couldn’t meet a more worthy recipient, she’s lovely.

A handful of people. They found out before hand (the latest one by email I think) but are supposed to be discreet about it. They all had different reactions, or maybe they were different publicly with what they would say. To be honest all bar one were very humble, very much about the work they had done, they were very touched, a bit shocked. Most had a chance to get over their surprise before I knew though. So I guess it was a more considered response.

My lovely, inspirational, now deceased teacher got one and thoroughly deserved it. He was almost completely blind and taught Latin and ancient history for over thirty years in a comprehensive school. Anyone who manages to stick that for more than a week deserves ALL the prizes. He was super passionate and was the nearest thing I've ever heard to fluency in Latin (he advised actors on pronunciation for films). He also gave me all his Latin book when he retired which I have lovingly kept. Great guy, I was over the moon for him when he told me.

I’m a civil servant and know loads of colleagues with honours.

BIL got an OBE for services to the military, I'm not sure whether it was for something specific or just for military services in general.

I’ve worked for several people that have them, it’s reasonably common in my work. My current boss told me himself that he had it, which I found mildly excruciating.

Yes I know quite well 2 mbes, for their roles in a mutual hobby ( fitness, cultural, dance thing). I also know less well some work colleagues ( civil servants) , and others for community work. Good for you on in nominating someone, I hope it goes well!

I know 2 women who received obe's both not very nice humans.
Also agree about getting an award for doing your job....not keen tbh.

My grandad OBE, something to do with WWII

Although not an MBE or OBE, a friend was awarded MNZM (New Zealand Order of Merit) in early 2000s. She has been very highly recognised in her field of expertise, including as a Fellow in two industry institutes. She's gone way above just doing her job. Her field has generally been regarded as a male STEM domain and she has been active in encouraging and improving female participation (two of her siblings also work in the field). She's a lovely person, very community minded, and will open her home to anyone who needs a place.

My boss has a CBE (civil service, not uncommon for senior staff to get honours). He had a fantastic time going to collect it and is so chuffed with it.

I know someone who got one. It is a lovely thing that you have done to nominate a person The letter came mid December and was announced in the New Years Honours list. It was completely unexpected and we are very ordinary folk but the recipient did amazing things for the community. The letter says something like 'We ask that you would keep the contents of this letter private until the honours list is published'. We were in the last batch of the New Year medals to attend Buckingham Palace (it was June) but I think the ceremonies start soon after the announcements. You do not know who will present the award until you arrive at the Palace , I think Prince Charles and Prince William do a lot of them now. There is an orchestra playing while you wait which is lovely and there are not too many people at once so it's not a very long service. There was definitely a wow for me at entering the Palace and thinking about the history and the sun shone so the official photographs were fab (although expensive) and you can take your own pictures in the quadrant after the service but not during it. If the person you nominated is selected I would definitely suggest they be driven into the palace grounds rather than line up outside, this is allowed and it made for a great moment as it's the shot you see when the Queen sends for someone and asks them to form a government. As we walked out towards the gates tourists were taking our photo although I do not look royal in any way! The nomination we later found out had been submitted a couple of years earlier but sometimes they are not given till someone has retired from a job if they are in a position of trust (teachers, charity workers etc) so even if you don't hear this time if that applies to the person you have put forward it may still be awarded in the future. Good Luck!

Yes a friend of mine has one for her outstanding career. She is one of the most intelligent people I have ever met & it was richly deserved.

A few yrs ago I was the last one to get a seat at a big work dinner out & ended up next to A who sat next to B. I knew the hope was A would pay the wine bill so did my best to be nice ; it was a great evening. A & B had met at the palace for "something" -- Knighthoods. A is a scientist & B is a civil servant. They talked about their life experiences, anecdotes such as avoiding offending Prince Harry, casual mention of the achievements of their adult children. tbh, they are compared to me just a different class of people. Like Henry Marsh : their whole social circle is ambitious, highly competent and multi-talented.

I worked decades ago with C (another policy-influencing professor) who now has an OBE. There's gossip that he's up himself, but I only hear from him on Facebook where he seems the same warm working class guy as ever was.

My grandfather was given an OBE for services to the NHS. He lead a project team for building new hospitals in the late 70s. He was going to refuse on the basis of it literally being for Other Buggers' Efforts, but was told to go and take it for the team.

My grandfather had an MBE and my friend's mum is a dame.

My DDad has an MBE for military services. He knew who he was receiving his from because we knew the Queen’s secretary at the time so they told us. The investiture was a fantastic day out and I’m very proud of him.

I work with a couple of fabulous women with MBEs - one for service to the the NHS / nursing and one for services to education. Both very much deserved.

My mum! She was awarded an MBE last year! Something to do with her services to inter-faith cohesion. She hasn't been to the Palace yet (if they're even allowed this year).

Yes, I have two friends from school, who both have OBEs. One was awarded when he was in his early 30s, the other was in the New Year's Honours list this year (we are all over 60 now).

I am loving these stories!

Gosh imagine how people must feel getting that letter (or email).

Silly thing - he would never expect it (v humble man!) so I’m worried he will think it’s spam/a scam and throw it away. 🤣

Yes. A colleague of mine has an OBE (I do not know what for). And the father of one of my daughter’s friends is a doctor and has just been awarded an MBE for his work during Covid.

I worked in sport for a long time so know a lot of elite athletes who got them, some nice, some arseholes. My old boss got the Order of Australia. The best one I’ve met is a civil servant - she’s a personal assistant, so they don’t all go to seniors, and she’s absolutely shit hot at her job.

My grandad had an MBE for services to education for volunteering as Chairman of Governors at my secondary school for over 30 years. The queen also came to my school while I was there to open our 6th form centre and it was a pleasure to see my grandad with her then too. He was a cheeky man and when the Queen signed the visitors book, he went to blot it with a blotter and she told him off, ‘I wouldn’t do that if I were you’ (presumably there are rules against it due to the blotter retaining a copy of the signature, albeit back to front). My grandad looked up at all of us who were in the ‘audience’ and slapped his own hand to indicate he’d had a telling off and everyone exploded in laughter! She looked round shocked as if to ask what we were all laughing at and he acted all innocent as if he had no clue! Such a great memory and family story! He has fabulous pictures of both the events. He died in September just a couple of weeks before his 100th birthday-a fabulous, humble, loving, generous family man. ❤️

My old boss had a CBE for services to her profession.

I have a male relative who was offered a MBE but declined.