Actor Idris Elba and several players from England’s successful women’s football and rugby teams this year are among the thousand Britons honored Monday by King Charles III.
This list of honors, published every year before the New Year, “celebrates the best that Britain has: people who put the general interest before themselves” and manage to “change lives”, greeted Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Idris Elba, 53-year-old actor known for his roles in “Luther” and “The Wire”, was knighted, the highest rank, to reward his commitment to British youth. He created a foundation, Elba Hope, and campaigns against knife violence among adolescents, which claims dozens of victims each year in the United Kingdom. He devoted a documentary to it.
On the sports side, several “Lionesses”, players from the England football team, are decorated after their victory during Euro 2025 in July against Spain. The captain, Leah Williamson, was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, and Alex Greenwood, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone received the distinction of Member of the order. Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman, who won the Euro twice with England in 2022 and 2025, received an “honorary” lady’s title, due to her nationality.
Rugby players also rewarded
“Red Roses”, players from the England women’s rugby team which won the World Cup in September against Canada, are also rewarded. Zoe Aldcroft, Marlie Packer and coach John Mitchell were made Officers of the Order of the British Empire, while Ellie Kildunne, Sadia Kabeya and Megan Jones became Members.
Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, legendary ice dancing couple of the 1980s who won numerous medals, including Olympic gold in 1984 in Sarajevo, were made a dame and a knight. The duo, who became the faces of the show “Dancing on Ice”, called time on their careers this year after a final tour.
Paula Radcliffe, three-time winner of the London Marathon and holder of the women’s marathon world record for 16 years, becomes an Officer of the British Empire. A total of 1,157 people are on the 2026 honors list, according to the government.
