King's Birthday Honours list in 2026 (UK) 13/Jun/2026

Rugby league star Kevin Sinfield is knighted while children's authors Malorie Blackman and Julia Donaldson are made dames in the King's Birthday Honours. In addition to his sporting career, the former England captain is recognised for raising millions of pounds for charities tackling motor neurone disease (MND). Dame Julia and Dame Malorie are honoured for their services to literature. Their best known works - The Gruffalo and Noughts & Crosses - have both been adapted for the screen. Several of the Lionesses who won Euro 2025 are appointed MBEs, including Chloe Kelly who scored the penalty to win the tournament, while Charlotte Tilbury, founder of her eponymous beauty brand, is made a CBE. The actress Dame Helen Mirren and photojournalist Sir Don McCullin are made Companions of Honour, of which there are only 65 at any one time. Members are recognised for major contributions to arts, science, medicine, or government over a long period of time. #kingsbirthdayhonours #birthdayhonourslist #ukhonourslist #birthdayhonourslist2026