Order of the British Empire
| Most Excellent Order of the British Empire | |
|---|---|
CBE neck decoration (in civil division) | |
| Awarded by the Monarch of the Commonwealth Realms | |
| Type | Order of chivalry |
| Established | 1917 |
| Motto | For God and the Empire |
| Eligibility | British nationals, citizens of the Commonwealth realms, or anyone who has made a significant achievement for the United Kingdom |
| Awarded for | Prominent national or regional achievements |
| Status | Currently constituted |
| Sovereign | Charles III |
| Grand Master | Queen Camilla |
| Grades |
|
| Former grades | Medal of the Order for Gallantry |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Royal Victorian Order |
| Next (lower) | Varies, depending on rank |
Military ribbon Civil ribbon | |
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The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two of which make the recipient either a knight if male or a dame if female. There is also the related British Empire Medal, whose recipients are affiliated with the order, but are not members of it.
The order was established on 4 June 1917 by King George V, who created the order to recognise 'such persons, male or female, as may have rendered or shall hereafter render important services to Our Empire'. Equal recognition was to be given for services rendered in the UK and overseas. Today, the majority of recipients are UK citizens, though a number of Commonwealth realms outside the UK continue to make appointments to the order. Honorary awards may be made to citizens of other nations of which the order's sovereign is not the head of state.