Most Excellent Order of the British Empire | |
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![]() CBE neck decoration (in civil division) | |
Awarded by the monarch of the United Kingdom | |
Type | Order of chivalry |
Established | 1917 |
Motto | For God and the Empire |
Eligibility | British nationals, citizens of the Commonwealth realms, or anyone who has made a significant achievement for the United Kingdom |
Awarded for | Prominent national or regional achievements[1] |
Status | Currently constituted |
Sovereign | Charles III |
Grand Master | Queen Camilla |
Grades |
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Former grades | |
Precedence | |
Next (higher) | Royal Victorian Order |
Next (lower) | Varies, depending on rank |
![]() Military ribbon ![]() Civil ribbon |
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organizations, and public service outside the civil service.[2] It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two of which make the recipient either a knight if male or a dame if female.[3] There is also the related British Empire Medal, whose recipients are affiliated with, but not members of, the order.
The order was established on 4 June 1917 by King George V, who created the order to recognise 'such persons, male or female, as may have rendered or shall hereafter render important services to Our Empire'.[3] Equal recognition was to be given for services rendered in the UK and overseas.[4] Today the majority of recipients are UK citizens, though a number of Commonwealth realms outside the UK continue to make appointments to the order.[5] Honorary awards may be made to citizens of other nations of which the order's sovereign is not the head of state.
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