How many OBE are there in the UK?

The order is limited to 300 Knights and Dames Grand Cross, 845 Knights and Dames Commander, and 8,960 Commanders. There are no limits applied to the total number of members of the fourth and fifth classes, but no more than 858 officers and 1,464 members may be appointed per year.

How common are OBE?

One in ten people has an OBE once, or more commonly, several times in their life. Psychologists and neuroscientists regard OBEs as dissociative experiences occurring along different psychological and neurological factors.

What is the OBE Order in the UK?

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Distinguished regional or county-wide role in any field, through achievement or service to the community including notable practitioners known nationally.

Is Bem higher than OBE?

The Order is awarded in five grades or ranks, with members of the senior two ranks becoming Knights or Dames. The other grades in descending order Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE), and Member (MBE) are awarded without restrictions on number.

What is the highest OBE?

Standing for Commander of the Order of the British Empire, CBE is the highest ranking Order of the British Empire level (excluding a knighthood/damehood), followed by OBE and then MBE. An individual may be appointed a CBE for having a prominent role at national level, or a leading role at regional level.

What Is MBE? British Royal Title Awards: Companion of Honour, Knight or Dame, CBE, OBE, MBE & BEM

How rare is an OBE?

Of the approximately 2000 honours awarded each year, around 400 are OBEs.

Does an OBE make you a Sir?

Only the top two ranks of knighthood, GBE and KBE, are eligible to use the title Sir or Dame. However, individuals who are awarded a CBE, OBE, or MBE may be awarded an additional higher rank at a later date, which enables them to use the title Sir.

Can you put BEM after your name?

Most awards allow the holder to place post nominal letters after their surname, for example 'KCMG', 'DCMG', 'CMG', 'CBE', 'OBE', 'MBE', 'BEM', 'QPM', 'QFSM' and 'QAM'. These can be used immediately following the announcement.

What are the 5 orders of the British Empire?

The five classes of both civil and military divisions, listed in descending order and conferred on men and women equally, are Knight and Dame Grand Cross (GBE), Knight and Dame Commander (KBE and DBE, respectively), Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE), and Member (MBE).

Does an OBE make you a Dame?

While a CBE, OBE and MBE are some of the top-ranking honours, only the top two ranks can use the title "Sir" or "Dame". People awarded a GBE, KBE or DBE can use these titles. The very top rank in the Order is a GBE - a Knight or Dame Grand Cross - but these are very rare. Since 2000, only 16 have been given out.

Has anyone rejected an OBE?

John Cleese, actor/comedian (in 1996; he reportedly thought it was "silly", and later declined a life peerage). Prunella Clough, painter (in 1979;. previously declined OBE in 1968).

Why do people refuse an OBE?

As to why, many people decline because they feel they deserve a higher honour than the one on offer. This is a silly, short-sighted attitude because few people go from nothing straight to a knighthood/damehood for example, which is the top honour.

Is OBE hard to get?

Anyone can be nominated for an OBE, and it can be awarded for all types of different achievement. In general the person nominated will have had a significant role locally or regionally, or they will be known nationally for their work, expertise and achievements.

How many OBE members are there?

The order is limited to 300 Knights and Dames Grand Cross, 845 Knights and Dames Commander, and 8,960 Commanders. There are no limits applied to the total number of members of the fourth and fifth classes, but no more than 858 officers and 1,464 members may be appointed per year.

Does an OBE give you a title?

It is incorrect to refer to a knight or dame using their surname, for example Sir Smith – Sir John is the correct form. The letters MBE or OBE etc are not a title, but are referred to as 'post-nominals'. 'Sir' and 'Dame' are titles.

What is the rarest medal in the UK?

In that case, the award of a “long service” medal was deemed inappropriate and the Naval Engineers Good Conduct Medal ceased to be conferred. With so few medals actually issued, and these rarely appearing on the market, the medal is surely the rarest official British award. But the story does not quite end in 1846.

Who gets awarded a BEM?

British Empire Medal ( BEM )

Awarded for a 'hands-on' service to the local community. This could be a long-term charitable or voluntary activity, or innovative work of a relatively short duration (3 to 4 years) that has made a significant difference.

Is BEM an MBE?

MBE means Member of the Order of the British Empire. Some years ago when John Major was Prime Minister there was a move to simplify the honours system and the BEM was abolished and any holders were allowed to exchange it for an MBE. However that decision was changed and the BEM was reintroduced as a lower level award.

Is the BEM still awarded?

The British Empire Medal is a British medal awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown. Recipients are entitled to use the post-nominal letters “BEM” and it is divided into civil and military medals in a similar way to the Order of the British Empire.

What does a BEM medal look like?

The award is a circular silver medal with a diameter of 1.42 inches. On the obverse is the picture of 'Britannia' seated, with the sun to her right. Legends around the edge reads FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE and on the below of the award is the inscription FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE.

Can an OBE be removed?

Yes. It is possible to remove an honour on the advice of the Forfeiture Committee and with the approval of the Sovereign. What behaviour is expected from a person who has an honour? Both we and the wider community expect recipients of honours to be, and to remain, good citizens and role models.

Is David Beckham a Sir?

The former Three Lions captain received an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in 2003 but has been frequently snubbed since then. Several footballing figures have been given knighthoods, including Beckham's mentor at Manchester United Sir Alex Ferguson. No player though has received one for decades.

Is A Sir higher than a Lord?

In terms of rank and status, the title of "Lord" is generally considered to be higher than the title of "Sir," as it denotes membership in the peerage, which is a more prestigious social class. However, the title of "Sir" is still an honorific title that is highly respected and carries a certain level of prestige.

What are the benefits of getting an OBE?

It will raise your profile, further enhance your reputation and instil trust of course – that vital ingredient for success in all walks of life. It also provides a platform to enable you to talk about a cause, campaign or whatever it is you have been honoured for.