Charles III has approved the removal of nine honors from recipients who previously received MBE and OBE titles — distinctions awarded as part of the United Kingdom’s long-standing honors system. The decision highlights the rare but significant process by which national honors can be revoked when recipients’ actions are considered incompatible with the recognition they once received.

What MBEs and OBEs represent

The honors in question are part of the Order of the British Empire, one of the UK’s most widely recognized systems for acknowledging service and achievement.

Two of its most common ranks include:

• OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire): Awarded to individuals who have made major contributions at a national or regional level in fields such as public service, the arts, science, charity work, or business.

• MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire): Given to individuals whose achievements or community service have had a meaningful and lasting impact.

These honors are typically announced during events such as the New Year Honours or the King’s Birthday Honours, and recipients are often formally invested at ceremonies held at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle.

Why honors are sometimes revoked

Revoking such awards is relatively uncommon and usually follows recommendations from the Honours Forfeiture Committee, a body that reviews cases where recipients’ conduct may undermine the reputation of the honors system.

Reasons for forfeiture generally include:

• Criminal convictions

• Professional misconduct

• Actions considered to bring the honors system into disrepute

Once the committee makes a recommendation, the final approval is granted by the monarch.

Notable case: Stuart Hogg

One of the most widely reported cases involves Stuart Hogg, a former international rugby player who had been awarded an MBE in the 2024 New Year Honours for services to rugby.

After Hogg pleaded guilty to domestic abuse charges, the decision was made to revoke the honor. According to the official notice published in The Gazette, the award has been formally annulled and his name removed from the register of the order.

Other individuals who lost honors

The complete list of individuals whose honors were revoked this month includes:

• Ian Ashbold — MBE (2016), revoked following a criminal conviction

• Lloyd Hamilton — MBE (2011), revoked following a criminal conviction

• Angela Middleton — MBE (2019), revoked for bringing the honors system into disrepute

• Nigel O’Connor — MBE (2015), revoked following professional disciplinary action

• Tony Reilly — OBE (2011), revoked following professional censure

• Paul Allen Rose — MBE (2002), revoked after criminal convictions related to animal welfare offenses

• Anant Shah — OBE (2020), revoked for conduct bringing the honors system into disrepute

• Graham Trewhella — MBE (2010), revoked following a criminal conviction

• Stuart Hogg — MBE (2024), revoked following criminal conviction

Maintaining the integrity of the honors system

The forfeiture process is designed to protect the credibility of the honors system, which has existed for more than a century. While many thousands of individuals receive honors each year for achievements in areas such as healthcare, education, public service, and charity work, the removal of titles remains rare.

When it does occur, it serves as a reminder that such distinctions are tied not only to past accomplishments but also to maintaining standards of conduct consistent with the recognition they represent.

Although these cases draw public attention, they represent a small fraction of the many individuals who continue to hold honors in recognition of service to their communities and the nation.