Kiev. Ukraine. Ukraine Gate – December 31, 2020 – International News
Seven-time Formula One Champion British racer Lewis Hamilton, two-time Oscar winner cameraman Roger Dickins and dozens of coronavirus fighters were among the most honored with the most honorable titles and orders of Great Britain. The list of winners of state awards is posted on the government website on Wednesday evening.
In total, the so-called New Year’s list includes the names of more than a thousand people – both celebrities of the first magnitude, and ordinary Britons who have received awards for service to society. The 35-year-old Hamilton, who equaled the number of championship titles he won last season with the German Michael Schumacher, was knighted for his services in motorsport. The same honor was awarded to the cameraman Dickins, known primarily for the filming of “Running on the Blade 2049” (2017) and “1917” (2019). The 1966 World Cup Champions Jimmy Greaves and Ron Flowers became Knights of the Order of the British Empire, as did singer and DJ Craig David.
Actor Toby Jones, who starred in Painted Veil (2006) and Frost vs. Nixon (2008) and voiced a character named Dobby in the Harry Potter films, was promoted to officer of the Order of the British Empire. Make-up artist Pat McGrath, in turn, became the lady commander of this order.
A significant number of awards went to people who were directly involved in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, the Order of the British Empire was awarded to 106-year-old volunteer Anne Baker of Salisbury, who has been raising funds for decades for the National Union for the Protection of Children from Abuse.
Traditionally, the list of winners is published twice a year – before the New Year and in June, when Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom celebrates her official birthday. However, this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the publication of the so-called summer list was postponed to the first half of October.
The Order of the British Empire was founded in 1917 by King George V, the grandfather of Elizabeth II. There are a total of five categories for this award. The lowest of them is the title of Knight of the Order of the British Empire, followed by officers of this order, then – commanders, and, finally, knights-commanders and knights of the Grand Cross. The last two categories automatically endow their owners with the knightly titles “sir” (for men) and “lady” (for women).
