The King and Queen with family members on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch the air display on his first official birthday.
MONARCH’S BEST BIRTHDAY GIFT, RARE HONOUR FOR THE BEST OF BRITISH IN HIS HONOURS LIST
By SHAMLAL PURI
Associate Publisher & Senior Editor – UK
Worth Noting:
- This year, he was the first monarch in over 30 years to ride a horse throughout Trooping the Colour. The Late Queen Elizabeth II used to travel by carriage due to her advancing age.
- The King inspected the lines of guardsmen on the parade ground – hundreds of servicemen and women from 1,500 taking part in the day – casting a critical eye over the soldiers, formed in two lines, as he rode past.
- William, Anne, and Edward rode behind Charles. At the same time, Camilla and Kate travelled in a carriage – a symbolic image of the royal family uniting to support the King as another milestone was reached in his reign.
- Upon their return, the King and Queen were joined by other members of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a flypast of 70 aircraft from all three services flying over Buckingham Palace.
The crème de la crème of British society and people from all walks of life were honoured by King Charles III this week in a colourful celebration steeped in tradition and pageantry to mark his first official birthday as the monarch.
The event was among the highlights of the Royals’ annual summer fixtures.
King Charles’officially recorded birthday is November 14, 1948, but as the tradition goes, the monarchs have two birthdays, one in the summer and the second in the winter. This applies especially if the royal family member was born in the winter months.
This is due to the vagaries of the British weather if a member of the royal family was born in the winter months.
The official birthday celebrations usually take place outdoors; they are held in the summer to escape the bitter winter blues. In the summer, when the days are longer and the nights short, the weather is more hospitable.
This month’s lavish and colourful celebrations on June 17 included the traditional Trooping the Colour in London, also known as the Monarch’s Birthday Parade.
This ceremony for the British sovereign’s birthday dates back over 260 years,
More than 1,400 troops, 200 horses and 400 musicians across the Household Division came together for a military display. The parade moved from Buckingham Palace down The Mall to Horse Guard’s Parade, alongside members of the royal family on horseback and in carriages.
This year, he was the first monarch in over 30 years to ride a horse throughout Trooping the Colour. The Late Queen Elizabeth II used to travel by carriage due to her advancing age.
The King inspected the lines of guardsmen on the parade ground – hundreds of servicemen and women from 1,500 taking part in the day – casting a critical eye over the soldiers, formed in two lines, as he rode past.
William, Anne, and Edward rode behind Charles. At the same time, Camilla and Kate travelled in a carriage – a symbolic image of the royal family uniting to support the King as another milestone was reached in his reign.
Upon their return, the King and Queen were joined by other members of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a flypast of 70 aircraft from all three services flying over Buckingham Palace.
The King’s official birthday. Bringing celebrations to a close,
Several million Britons watched the colourful Trooping of the Colour either standing with the crowds of Royal fans or on the TV screens with the proceeding televised live.
Many excited Britons could not hide their emotions on the day.
Pensioner Jill Brown said, “It was so wonderful that I sat and watched the whole thing on my TV. It reminded me of my late mother, who worked as a dinner lady in our local school and never missed the Trooping of the Colour ceremony.”
This is also the day when the King honours a select group of British and Commonwealth professionals in recognition of their exceptional services to the community.
The choice e of those who were honoured reflected a rich cultural diversity of people in the UK and the Commonwealth, including many from the diaspora who have left their mark on the community.
Their names ring out like a who’s who list.
This year’s list (with surnames in capitals) included top professionals, media and literary celebrities, politicians, educationists, and community leaders, music and TV stars – mainly those who made top headlines during the year.
British business leaders, exporters and Department for Business and Trade staff are also awarded for their exceptional service to Business, trade, investment, and exports.
Those honoured have proudly flown the British flag and represent a diverse range of businesses and business leaders who have championed a range of the UK’s world-leading sectors.
Business leaders and volunteers recognised in the 2023 Birthday Honours list include:
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) include Prof. Sir John Irving BELL, Regius Professor of Medicine, University of Oxford. For services to Medicine, Medical Research, the Life Science Industry and Public Health based in Oxfordshire; Novelist and Screenwriter Ian Russell MCEWAN CBE for services to Literature; Dame Anna WINTOUR DBE, Editor in Chief, Vogue, Global Editorial Director, Vogue and Global Content Officer, Condé Nast, for services to Fashion and Alex CHISHOLM, Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office and Chief Operating Officer, Civil Service, for Public Service
The Dames, Commander of the Order of the British Empire, were decorated for their services in various fields.
They include Jacqueline Marie BAILLIE, Deputy Leader of the Scottish Labour Party for Political and Public Service; Prof. Averil Olive BRADLEY (Averil Mansfield), Surgery and Equality in Medicine; Prof Diane COYLE CBE Bennett, Professor of Public Policy, University of Cambridge, for services to Economics.
Others include advertising industry leader Annette KING Chief Executive Officer, Publicis Groupe UK, for services to Advertising and to the Creative Industries; Susan Carol LANGLEY, Non-Executive Chair, Gallagher UK and lately, Lead Non-Executive Director, Home Office. For Public Service and to the Financial Services Industry; Kathryn Alexandra MCDOWELL, Managing Director, London Symphony Orchestra. For services to the Music industry.
Prof Eleanor Jane MILNER-GULLAND Tasso Leventis, Chair in Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Oxford University. For services to International Conservation, Elizabeth Mary NICHOLL, President, World Netball, for services to Sport; Dr Neslyn Eugenie WATSON-DRUÉE, Voluntary Chair, Birmingham and Midlands Women Economic Forum, for services to Women and Ethnic Minorities
Late Martin Louis AMI, the famous Author, who passed away on May 18 2023, aged 73, for services to Literature, was honoured with the Knights Bachelor Knighthood along with the famous London-based Nigerian diaspora author Ben Golden Emuobowho OKRI for services to Literature.
Others include Prof. Peter John BARNES, Professor of Thoracic Medicine, Imperial College London, for services to Respiratory Science, Benjamin Peter James BRADSHAW, MP for Exeter, was honoured for Political and Public Service; Robin Francis BUDENBERG, Chair, The Crown Estate. for services to the Economy.
David Jeremy DARROCH Executive Chair, Sky. for services to Business, Charity and Sustainability, Stephen Arthur FREARS, Director and Producer. For services to Film and Television. Rupert Alexander GAVIN, for services to Drama, the Arts, Heritage and the Economy; Prof. Iain Gilmour GRAY, Director of Aerospace, Cranfield University, for services to the Aerospace Industry.
An impressive list of diaspora members has always been decorated. They include those who have made headlines and people who aren’t in the public eye but are recognised for service and contribution to their respective fields.
They include Emran MIAN, Director General, Regeneration, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Order of the Bath for services to Regeneration;
Zahra Shiva BAHROLOLOUMI, Chief Executive Officer, Salesforce UK, for services to the Information Technology Sector; Professor Paliarkarakadu Assen Muhammed BASHEER, Chair in Structural Engineering, University of Leeds, for services to Civil Engineering.
The list continues with the Order of the British Excellence (OBE) and MBE.
The OBE is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions at a local level or whose work has gained a national profile.
This Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, an MBE, is the third highest ranking Order of the British Empire award and OBE. The MBE is awarded for an outstanding achievement or service to the community which has had a long-term, significant impact.
Khurshid ALAM, Chair, Academy for Advanced Studies and Training UK International. for services to Black and Ethnic Minority Ethnic (BAME) Healthcare and the Professional Development of BAME Doctors; Prof. Aravinthan COOMARASAMY, Professor of Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Birmingham, for services to Maternal Health; Dr Parvinder Kaur ALEY, Director of Global Operations, Oxford Vaccine Group, University of Oxford, for services to Vaccination during Covid-19.
Prof. Prokar DASGUPTA, Foundation Professor of Surgery, King’s Health Partners and Chair in Robotic Surgery and Urological Innovation, King’s College London. for services to Surgery and Science; Anju KUMAR, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. for services to Women’s Health and Welfare in Wales; Amar LATIF, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Traveleyes. For services to the Visually Impaired and Entrepreneurship, Dr Navaratnam PARTHEEBAN, Co-Founder British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society for services to Inclusion.
Oluwafemi ELUFOWOJU JR, Director and Actor, for services to Drama; Anuj Jayantilal CHANDE, Partner, Grant Thornton, for services to International Trade and Investment; Varinder HAYRE, District Crown Prosecutor, Crown Prosecution Service, London for services to Law and Order; Ishtiaq HUSSAIN, Assistant Director, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, for Public Service.
Dr Kavitha KISHEN, Deputy Director, Security, Resilience and Strategy, Government Office for Science. For services to National Resilience and Diversity in Government Science and Engineering; Sunand PRASAD, Chair, UK Green Building Council, for services to Regeneration; Dr Amarjit RAJU, Chief Executive, Disability Direct, for services to People with Disabilities, to Carers and Mental Health.
Prof. Rama Shankaran THIRUNAMACHANDRAN, Vice-Chancellor, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, Kent, for services to Higher Education; Mohammad Amjid WAZIR, Member and Deputy Leader, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, for Political Service and to the community in Stoke-on-Trent.
Mohammed YOUNIS, Owner of Star Day Nurseries, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, for services to Early Years Education and the community in Peterborough.
Those who were awarded Order of the British Empire (OBE) include Eniola ALUKO for services to Association Football and Charity, Darnish AMRAZ,
Youth Worker, Birmingham City Youth Service, for services to Young People in Birmingham; Muhammad Arif ANIS, Co-Founder, One Million Meals, for services to Frontline Workers during Covid-19; Roma BHOPAL, Physiotherapist and Specialist Hand Therapist for services to Physiotherapy; Vanita BROOKES, Fellow, Faculty of Dental Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons of England for services to the Oral Health of People with Disabilities; Yui Chit Daniel CHAN, Honorary Treasurer and Trustee, UK Youth. For services to Charity and to Young People.
Nizamuddin Noordin DAMANI, Consultant Microbiologist, Southern Health and Social Care Trust for services to Infection Prevention and Control in Northern Ireland and to the World Health Organisation; Bawa Singh DHALLU, Councillor and currently Mayor, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, West Midlands for Political and Voluntary Service; Sandeep DWESAR, Chief Operating and Financial Officer, Barbican Centre for Public Service; Inua Muhammed ELLAMS, Poet, Playwright and Performer, for services to the Arts.
Mohammed FAHIM, for services to the community in Walsall, West Midlands, particularly during Covid-19; Aqil FAROOQ, Police Sergeant and Chair, Staff Association, Avon and Somerset Police, for services to Policing and to Diversity and Inclusion; Dr Desmond JADDOO, Bishop, The Village Fellowship Church and Chairman, Windrush National Organisation for services to the Caribbean Windrush Generation; Kapaljit Singh JHUTI, Head of Services, Transport and Passenger Logistics, Heathrow Airport, London for services to the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II; Navleen KAUR, Founder, Sahara Sisterhood for services to Women and to Interfaith Relations.
Dr Michael Olatunde KEHINDE, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champion, Environment Agency, for Public Service; Ritu KHURANA, DJ and Broadcaster, for services to Music and Broadcasting; Dr Nihara Sonali KRAUSE, Founder and Chief Executive, Stem4, for services to the Mental Health of Young People; Rizwana MAHMOOD-AHMED, Headteacher, Carlton Junior and Infants School, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire for services to Education; Rizwan Wali MOHAMMED, for services to the community in Glasgow.
Professor Raja Anindya Sekhar MUKHERJEE, Consultant Psychiatrist, Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust for services to People with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders; Pandit Shiva Chandra NIRAULA, Hindu Priest, Brigade of Gurkhas, Ministry of Defence for pastoral services to Military Personnel; Asitha PANDITHARATNA, Director of Employment Services, The Forward Trust, for services to Further Education and Skills.
Professor Kanwal John PASI, Centre Director, Royal London Haemophilia Centre, Barts Health NHS Trust for services to the NHS; Jay Prakash PATEL,
Qualified Person Assessor, AstraZeneca, for services to Public Health during Covid-19; Jeeta PATEL, Senior Policy Adviser, Cabinet Office, for Public Service; Dr Shubha PLATT (nee Sathyendranath), Merit Scientist, Remote Sensing, Plymouth Marine Laboratory for services to Oceanography; Dr Sandrasekeram PREMACHANDRAN, Advisor, Care Quality Commission and Emergency Medicine Consultant, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust for services to Health and Care,
Aftabur RAHMAN, Chief Executive Officer, Legacy West Midlands, for services to Heritage and to the community in Birmingham; Nimisha RAJA, founder, Nim’s Fruit Crisps, for services to Small and Medium Enterprises; Adil RASHID, for services to Cricket; Narinder Singh SAGOO, for services to Charity; Bilal Bin SAQIB, Co-Founder, One Million Meals, for services to the NHS; Prodaman Kumar SARWAL,
Trustee, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust and Chair, Master Ropemakers Ltd. For services to Heritage and to the Charitable Sector.
Dr Farrukh Tasnim SHAH, Consultant Haematologist, Whittington Health NHS Trust, for services to Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Patients; Mercy Lusungu SHIBEMBA, Speaker and Campaigner, for services to People with HIV; Dr Inderjit SINGH, for voluntary and charitable services to the community in Scotland; Harvinder SINGH RAI, Sergeant, West Midlands Police. for services to Policing and to the Sikh Community.
Hina SOLANKI, Founder, Sol Cosmedics, for services to Business and Charity; Jyotsna SRIKANTH. Violinist for services to Music; Dr Shivani Anika WALIA, Founder, Anika Food Charity, for services to the Alleviation of Food Poverty; Idris ALI provision Contracts Manager, Department for Work and Pensions for voluntary service to the community in Oldham, Greater Manchester; Ezekiel Abiodun AWOYOMI, Inspector, British Transport Police. For services to Policing and to Young People.
Rahima Do Nascimento AZIZ, Trustee, Aziz Foundation for services to Young People; Perminderjeet Kaur BANWAIT, Founder and Managing Director, Banwait Group Holdings for services to Social Care; Balvir Mohan BHALLA,
Founder, Super Cool Friends Charity, for services to the community during Covid-19; Nighat BHOLA, Director, Humdum UK, for voluntary meal services during Covid-19; Rekesh CHAUHAN, Pianist and Composer for music services to Charity and Mental Health; Salma Bano ZULFIQAR, for services to Art and Education; Yasmin SIDHWA, Founder and Director, Mandala Theatre Company for services to Drama; Sunethie SALIG, for services to Law Enforcement and Diversity.
Hetalban Mayank PATEL, Compliance and Investigation Officer, HM Revenue and Customs for services to Homeless People; Virendra Mahendrakumar PATEL, Technical Support Partner, John Lewis and Partners, for community services; Kailash MALHOTRA, Peer Educator Volunteer, Kidney Research UK. for services to Kidney Organ Donation for Minority Ethnic Groups; Dr Priya KUMAR, Kumar Medical Centre, for services to Health Improvement in South East England; Oyovwe Sagbodje KIGHO, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Widows Empowerment Trust for services to Bereaved families.
Krishna GHOSH, for services to Education and the community in London; Balbir and Kuldeep Singh DHILLON, Postmasters, for community services in Birchwood, Cheshire.
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