EmmaRaducanu became one of the latest athletes to receive British honours on November 29th when she was named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). A ceremony was held at Windsor Castle, where she was awarded the honour by King Charles III for her excellence in the sport of tennis.
Raducanu saw her career take off in September 2021 when she won the US Open at just 18 years old. She defeated 19-year-old LeylahFernandez in the final to become the first qualifier to ever win a Grand Slam title. She also became the first British woman to win a Grand Slam since Virginia Wade in 1977.
At the time of her being made an MBE, Raducanu was just 20 years old – meaning she still has her entire career ahead of her. Since turning pro in 2018, she has a 93-44 singles record and her highest world ranking was No. 10 – which she achieved in July 2022. She’s currently ranked No. 76 in the world.
Every year, we see hundreds of prominent figures receive British honours for their contributions to their country and community. These people come from a wide range of backgrounds and careers – such as politicians, actors, athletes, and first responders. It’s a worthy accomplishment for anyone born in the UK.
Emma Raducanu is one of the latest athletes to receive British honours, but she’s not the first and certainly won’t be the last. Athletes from a wide range of sports receive British honours every single year – whether it be knighthood, damehood, CBE, OBE, MBE, or BEM. They each serve their own purpose.
While we honor Raducanu for her incredible achievement – at just 20 years old, nonetheless – let’s take a look at some of the other notable athletes to receive British honours in years past. Our list will include athletes from a wide range of sports including football (soccer), cricket, tennis, sailing, boxing, and more!
15. Pelé
On this day in 1997, Pelé was granted an honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to football.
Although he isn't permitted to add 'Sir' to his name, he did score a couple past Prince Charles in a Royal friendly exhibition, which he duly added to his tally. pic.twitter.com/NotiVYbAeo
Pelé wasn’t born in the United Kingdom, so he couldn’t receive an actual knighthood from the Queen. He did, however, receive an honorary knighthood from Her Majesty in 1997 for his dedication to humanitarian and environmental activism – he was an ambassador to the UN and was the Brazilian Ministry of Sport.
Pelé is widely regarded as one of the greatest football (soccer) players of all-time. He scored 77 goals for Brazil’s national team between 1957 and 1971, helping them win three FIFA World Cups. He also scored more than 600 goals for Santos FC between 1956 and 1974. We will never see another player like Pelé.
14. Dame Ellen MacArthur
12 years ago Ellen MacArthur rocked sailing with her record breaking solo journey around the world. Today, she's helping to inspire a new journey towards a world that is restorative and regenerative by design. #IWD2018pic.twitter.com/r2cpzJuTNc
— Ellen MacArthur Foundation (@circulareconomy) March 8, 2018
In late-2004, Dame Ellen MacArthur began her quest to break the world solo record for sailing non-stop around the world. On February 7, 2005, she crossed the finish line and broke the record by more than 32 hours. She was immediately made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE).
She’s one of the youngest people to ever receive the honour, doing so before turning 30 years old. In addition to becoming a Dame for her dedication to sailing, MacArthur was given the rank of Honorary Lieutenant Commander, Royal Naval Reserve. Her contribution to both sport and community are obvious.
13. Sir Alastair Cook
✅ 12,472 Test runs 👏 The second-highest number of Test runs scored at Lord's ✍️ Four appearances on the Test Honours Boards#OnThisDay in 2018, Sir Alastair Cook retired from International cricket.#LoveLordspic.twitter.com/2JElllG62q
Sir Alastair Cook has earned his right to be called a knight. As one of the greatest cricket players the country has ever seen, Cook was originally appointed an MBE in 2011. He was eventually promoted to a CBE five years later before finally being appointed a Knight Bachelor at the 2019 New Years Honours.
Cook represented England on the national side between 2006 and 2018 – he’s the country’s second most-capped player in cricket history and is a former captain. He’s the only English player to win 50 Test matches, has more Test centuries than any other English player, and holds a number of other records.
12. Sir Mo Farah
🥇Olympic gold medalist 👤Sports personality of the year 👑Knighthood from the Queen 🕺Creator of the Mobot
Sir Mo Farah is one of the greatest long-distance runners of all-time. He won four gold medals at the Olympics and six gold medals at the World Championships, making him the most accomplished British track athlete and most decorated long distance runner ever. He shined at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.
Farah was honored by Queen Elizabeth for his services to athletics. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2013 before receiving his knighthood from Her Majesty as part of the 2017 New Years Honours. He was born in Somaliland, but was trafficked to London and forced to work.
AnthonyJoshua is one of the greatest boxers of this generation, despite his recent struggles against OleksandrUsyk. Joshua was 24-1 as of December 2020, but has lost his last two fights – both vs. Usyk. Nonetheless, he’s a two-time former unified world heavyweight champion and one of England’s finest.
After winning an Olympic gold medal in 2012, Joshua was recognized as an Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). Most recently, he was promoted to Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2018 by then-Prince, now-King Charles. He is four months removed from his last fight with nothing scheduled right now.
HarryKane is the current captain of England’s national football (soccer) team – he also plays for Tottenham Hotspur of the Premier League. He’s currently tied for the most international goals in England history and has the second-most goals in Tottenham history – if you didn’t know, he likes to score goals.
Kane was named a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2019 after leading England to the semifinals of the World Cup and winning the tournament’s golden boot. He was presented the honour by Prince William. England’s manager, GarethSouthgate, was made an OBE that same year.
9. Gareth Bale MBE
🎖 Gareth Bale has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list for services to football and charity. 👏 pic.twitter.com/FUOua3Meei
GarethBale is the current captain of Wales’ national football (soccer) team – he plays for Los Angeles FC of the MLS, but also has a history with Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid. Many experts would agree that he’s one of the best Welsh players of all-time and one of the best wingers in the world today.
Bale was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Birthday Honours List in 2022. He was being honored for both his services in football and charity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bale donated €1 million to hospitals across his home country and in Spain.
RoryMcIlroy is currently the No. 1 ranked golfer in the world and has now held that title for 114 total weeks since turning pro in 2007. He has 35 professional wins under his belt, four major championships, and three FedEx Championships. He was born in Northern Ireland and represents his hometown well.
McIlroy was named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2012 after winning the 2011 US Open in record fashion – 16-under. “I am delighted to be named in the Queen’s New Year Honours list. It is quite humbling to be included in such a list of worthy recipients,” the 22-year-old said at the time.
DavidBeckham is one of the most iconic and legendary footballers of his generation. He is widely known for winning titles in four different countries – including Spain, the US, France, and England. He scored 17 goals in 115 appearances for England’s national team between 1996 and 2009 – he was fun to watch.
Beckham was recognized as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in November 2003 – one day after scoring a goal for Real Madrid in what became a signature free kick. “This is probably the best I’ve received so far. It’s an amazing day for me,” the footballer said of his accomplishment, at the time.
MarcusRashford is a current forward for England’s national team and has been since 2016 – he also plays for Manchester United of the Premier League. In 51 international appearances for England, Rashford has scored 15 goals, but don’t worry, he still has a lot more to give at just 25 years old.
Rashford was recognized as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2021 for his dedication to helping vulnerable children during the COVID-19 pandemic – he was just 24 years old at the time. “Thank you for making the day so special for me and mum. Very proud,” he said, with his mother in attendance.
5. Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill
📸 Jessica Ennis-Hill was made a Dame during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace today pic.twitter.com/7zQ3x8rkfk
Jessica Ennis-Hill is a former track-and-field athlete who specialized in the 100m hurdles, heptathlon, and pentathlon. She won a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics and silver medal at the 2016 Olympics – she also won three gold medals at the World Championships. She now runs fitness and women’s health apps.
In 2017, Ennis-Hill was recognized as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) as part of the New Years Honours list. She will forever be remembered as the poster child for England athletics at the 2012 Olympics and was known for her competitiveness and unwillingness to quit.
4. Dame Kelly Holmes
Dame Kelly Holmes became one of the greatest British athletes of all time.
KellyHolmes was a track-and-field athlete who specialized in middle-distance events – including the 600m, 800m, 1,000m, and 1,500m events. After winning a bronze medal for the 800m at the 2000 Olympics, Holmes won a gold medal in both the 800m and 1,500m at the ensuing 2004 Olympics.
Holmes has been recognized as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) since 2005 – the same year she retired from sport. She was also appointed Honorary Colonel of the Royal Armoured Corps Training Regiment in 2018 and is quite the accomplished motivational speaker today.
Sir Alex Ferguson is one of the most iconic and legendary football (soccer) managers of all-time, best known for his time with Manchester United between 1986 and 2013. He won 38 trophies with the club and has more trophies than any other manager in football history. There’s no denying his legacy in the sport.
In fact, his contributions to the sport have earned him numerous accolades with the Royal Family. He was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1985, a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1995, and a Knight Bachelor in 1999 as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
2. Sir Andy Murray
Tennis superstar Sir @andy_murray has received his #knighthood from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace. 🎖️
The three-time Grand Slam champion said he wishes his daughters could have seen him receive the award.
Sir Andy Murray is one of the greatest tennis players to hail from Great Britain, turning pro in 2005 and earning a 717-232 singles record ever since. He has won 48 singles titles and three Grand Slam titles during his career, spending a strong majority of 2008 through 2017 ranked top-ten in the entire world.
Murray was recognized as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2012 after winning his first Grand Slam title and Olympic gold medal. He was knighted by then-Prince, now-King Charles in 2016 following his third and most recent Grand Slam title and his second Olympic gold medal for Great Britain.
Sir Lewis Hamilton is one of the greatest Formula 1 racers of all-time – and he has no plans of stopping anytime soon. He currently races for Mercedes and has won seven World Drivers’ Championship titles since joining the league in 2007. He also has the most wins, poles, podiums, and so much more.
Hamilton received his knighthood in 2021 after winning his seventh World Championship in 2020 – tying a record held by MichaelSchumacher. He was originally made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2009 following his first World Championship win in 2008. Can he win his eighth title?
Have Athletes Ever Refused British Honours?
Being made a knight, dame, CBE, OBE, MBE, or BEM is a major accomplishment in the United Kingdom, but not everyone nominated feels the same way. In fact, there have been a wide range of people to refuse their British honours – athletes included – due to personal, political, categorical, or historical reasons.
For example, HowardGayle refused his nomination for MBE because “it would be a betrayal to all the Africans who have lost their lives, or who suffered as a result of Empire.” Gayle was born in England, but was of African descent and felt his ‘ancestors would be turning in their graves’ if he accepted the MBE.
Two other athletes to refuse Royal or British honours include Richie McCaw, who refused a potential knighthood, and Peter Alliss, turned down an OBE nomination. Bill Woodfull refused a knighthood for cricket, but accepted a knighthood for teaching nearly 30 years after his first nomination in 1934.
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