United Kingdom

Order of the Companions of Honour

Recognises outstanding achievements in the arts, sciences, medicine and public service. Limited to 65 members from across the Commonwealth, plus honorary members. GOV.UK describes it as recognising a major contribution lasting over a long period of time.^1,2

Country

United Kingdom

Established

1917¹

Conferred by

The Sovereign, founded by King George V

How announced

Appointments are published in honours lists in The London Gazette, for example the 2017 Birthday Honours.³

Revocation

Only the monarch can remove an honour, acting on ministerial advice. The Honours Forfeiture Committee advises the King through the Prime Minister. The main test is whether the holder has brought the honours system into disrepute, for example a prison sentence of at least three months. Forfeiture applies only to living holders. Removal is published in The Gazette as a direction that the appointment be cancelled and annulled.⁴

Grades

• Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH), single grade

Notable holders on this record

• Paul McCartney HeldMember (CH) 17 June 2017

Official page: honours.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/about/orders-and-medals/

Sources

1. Cabinet Office Honours and Appointments Secretariat, Orders and medals
2. GOV.UK (Cabinet Office), Types of honours and awards (15 September 2026)
3. The London Gazette, Order of the Companions of Honour, Birthday Honours 2017, issue 61961 (16 June 2017)
4. House of Commons Library, Honours: refusal and removal