words
Kerry Parnell
photographs
aFP/Getty ImaGes, Getty ImaGes, James Gourley/reX/shutterstocK,
Pa archIve/Pa ImaGes, Pa Photos, reX/shutterstocK, tIm Graham/Getty ImaGes
toqualify,youneedtohavedone
somethingtrulyoutstandinginyour
field.allBritishhonoursareawardedfor
exceptionalachievementanddameswill
usuallyhavebeengivena lowerhonour
first,suchasanMBe,oBeorcBe.
theofficialcriteriais tohavemade
“amajorcontributioninanyactivity,
usuallyatnationallevel.otherpeople
workinginthenominee’sareawill
seetheircontributionasinspirational
andsignificant,requiringcommitment
overa longperiodoftime.”
thehonourssystemis runby
thecabinetofficehonoursand
appointmentssecretariat,and
nominationscomefromboth
governmentdepartmentsandmembers
ofthepublic.it’sassimpleasfilling
ina form,butdespitethetemptation,
youcan’tnominateyourself.
candidatesaredividedintosubject
areasanda governmentcommittee
producesthelist,whichis then
passedtotheQueenviatheprime
Minister.afterhMapprovesthelist,
lettersaresentouttonominees
twicea year,fortheQueen’sBirthday
honoursandNewYear’shonours.
oncea nomineeacceptsan
honour,thelistis formallyapproved
andtherecipientlaterattendsthe
ceremonyatBuckinghampalace.
Formoreinformationvisitgov.uk6
For services
to drama
The British actress
was thrilled to get her gong in
- “It’s a lovely thing, I can’t
explain it,” she said. “I thought,
‘I wish my parents were here’.”
When Walters flew back to the
Mamma Mia 2 set she was
serenaded by the cast singing,
There is Nothin’ Like a Dame.
How do you
become a dame?7
Parveen Kumar, 76
For services to MediciNe
aNd Medical educatioN
leading gastroenterologist Parveen Kumar’s
pioneering work earned her a damehood
in 2017. “It came as a great surprise,”
she said. “I owe the damehood to all
my wonderful patients and dedicated
staff and friends: it was a team effort.”8
Judi Dench, 84
For services to draMa
the prolific actress was made a dame
in 1988 and the even higher honour of
a companion of honour in 2005. the
oscar-winner said being a dame is
useful for getting a table at a restaurant,
“but you have to get someone else to
do the booking.”9
Margaret Whitehead, 70
For services to puBlic health
Professor margaret Whitehead’s
lifelong work in health inequalities won
her a damehood in 2016. “I am both
honoured and overwhelmed,” she
said, adding it was “recognition of the
importance of using research to tackle
the unfairness of health inequalities.”10
Kelly Holmes, 49
For services to athletics
the olympic gold-medal athlete got
the award in 2005. “I have won 14
major medals and to top it off with
this is fantastic,” she said.11
Vivienne Westwood, 78
For services to British
FashioN the british designer was
made a dame in 2006 and, as in
1992 when she received an obe,
went to buckingham Palace without
any knickers. apparently, the Queen
thought it funny the first time. “she
was rather amused by it,” she said.Clockwise
from top:
Julie walters;
parveen Kumar;
Judi dench