Ex-footballer Ian Wright has been honored with an OBE, while broadcasters Ken Bruce and Davina McCall have been awarded MBEs in the inaugural Birthday Honours list under King Charles.
This year’s honours list marks the first official birthday celebration in June, distinct from the monarch’s actual birthday in November.
In addition to notable personalities, the list pays tribute to individuals involved in post-Queen’s passing initiatives from the previous year, as well as those who have rendered assistance to Ukrainian refugees.
There are 1,171 people on this year’s list – split almost evenly between 585 men and 586 women.
According to the Cabinet Office – which oversees the honours system – 52% are people who recognised for work in their communities, and 11% come from an ethnic minority background.
RUGBY STARS HONOURED:
Sarah Hunter:
England’s most capped player with 141 Test appearances has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list for services to rugby union. She has been awarded a CBE.
An MBE for Services to Rugby and becoming the 2016 World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year have duly rewarded Hunter for her skill, dedication, determination and persistence to become the most-capped England player of all time.
Sarah started out playing rugby league as a nine-year-old at Goathland Primary School. She was born in North Shields and moved to Loughborough Lightning to take up at player-coach role. Sarah led from the front as England won the Grand Slam in the 2017 Six Nations and reached the 2017 World Cup final.
She led the team in the 2019 Six Nations, securing a Grand Slam. She crossed twice in the 2020 Six Nations but missed the 2020 autumns through injury. Sarah returned to lead England to the 2021 Six Nations title, and then again in the 2021 autumn matches and the 2022 Six Nations.
The number 8 captained the squad that made the final of the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup and was named Co-captain of Simon Middleton’s squad for the 2023 TikTok Women’s Six Nations.
She announced that she would be retiring from rugby following the team’s opening fixture against Scotland at Kingston Park.
