King Charles has announced the New Year’s Day honours, and among them are Idris Elba, Wicked’s Cynthia Erivo, and legendary ice dancers, Torvill and Dean.
What are the New Year’s Day honours?
Announced annually around 1 January, the New Year Honours acknowledge people from all walks of life — from global cultural figures and elite athletes to charity workers, teachers, volunteers and community leaders. They are awarded on the advice of government and independent committees, with final approval given by the monarch, King Charles III.
Honours are granted across several levels. The most high-profile are knighthoods and damehoods, which allow recipients to use the titles Sir or Dame. Below that sit the familiar tiers of the Order of the British Empire — CBEs, OBEs and MBEs — which recognise varying degrees of national, regional and local impact. Separate awards also exist for bravery and long service, particularly among emergency workers and the armed forces.
What’s the difference between CBEs, OBEs, and MBEs?
CBE: Commander of the Order of the British Empire. This is an honour given for a prominent role at a national or regional level.
OBE: Officer of the Order of the British Empire. This is for major contributions at a regional or national level.
MBE: Member of the Order of the British Empire. This is for marking outstanding service at a local or community level.
What’s the difference between the King’s Birthday Honour list and the New Year’s Day Honour list?
The New Year Honours are one of two major honours lists published each year, alongside the King’s Birthday Honours, which are traditionally released in June to mark the monarch’s official birthday.
While the two lists carry equal status and draw from the same honours system, they often differ slightly in emphasis. The New Year Honours tend to reflect achievements and service from the preceding year, while the Birthday Honours are sometimes used to recognise long-standing contribution or lifetime service.
Who is on the New Year’s Day Honours list 2026?
The now-Sir Idris Elba has been knighted for his charity work supporting young people and ending knife crime. Idris and the king have previously collaborated on various projects in this area, including for a Netflix documentary.
Legendary ice dancers Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have also received a knighthood and a damehood in the New Year’s Day honours.
Cynthia Erivo, of Wicked fame, has been awarded an MBE for services to music and drama.
Richard Osman has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to literature and broadcasting. His novel series, The Thursday Murder Club, was recently adapted into a film on Netflix starring Dame Helen Mirren, Sir David Tennant, and Irish actor Pierce Brosnan.
Actor Warwick Davis, best known for his work in Harry Potter and Star Wars, has also received an OBE for his services to drama and charity.
On the sporting side, various Lionesses (members of England’s women’s national football team) and their coach, Sarina Wiegman, have been honoured, including an honorary damehood for Sarina.
NSW Police officer Jason Michael Baltov and senior protocol officer Paula Anne FitzPatrick were awarded Royal Victorian Order (MVO) honours in the 2026 list as well.
The full honours list for 2026 can be viewed here.
