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Revocation of MBEs and OBEs is exceedingly rare. Such decisions are not taken lightly, as they reflect a careful evaluation of conduct, character, and alignment with the values the honors represent.
This month, however, King Charles III directed the removal of nine honorary titles. The reasons included criminal convictions, actions that discredited the honors system, or professional misconduct that brought disrepute to the awards.
Among the most widely reported cases is former Scottish rugby star Stuart Hogg. Hogg had received an MBE in the 2024 New Year honors for services to rugby.
Hogg’s MBE was revoked after he pleaded guilty to domestic abuse charges, a serious criminal offense. The revocation was officially recorded in The Gazette, the official public record for government announcements.
The notice stated: “The King has directed that the appointment of Stuart William Hogg to be a Member of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, dated 30 December 2023, shall be cancelled and annulled.”
It further added that Hogg’s name would be erased from the Register of the Order, formally removing his right to use the MBE designation in any professional or personal capacity.
Another notable case is Paul Allen Rose, founder of Barrow’s Owl Sanctuary in Cumbria. He had been awarded an MBE in 2002 for services to wildlife conservation and animal welfare.
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Rose was sentenced in May 2024 after pleading guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and one count of failing to ensure animal welfare under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
The revocation reflects the seriousness with which the UK honors system treats criminal convictions, particularly those that directly conflict with the values and public trust associated with MBEs and OBEs.
Other individuals had their awards revoked for professional misconduct or bringing the honors system into disrepute, demonstrating that both private behavior and public actions are considered in these decisions.
Angela Middleton, awarded an MBE in 2019, had her title revoked for actions deemed to bring the honors system into disrepute, although the specifics were not publicly detailed in the official notices.