Order Rank
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE)
A senior rank within the Order of the British Empire conferring the title Sir.
KBE
Awarded over time
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) appointments by year.
honoria.co.ukTopics
All topicsThe topics most recognised among Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) recipients, sized by number of people. Click a tile to explore.
Topics by number of recipients
Every topic recognised among Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) recipients, by number of people. Scroll for the full list.
Honours rounds
Rounds that included this award - open one to see the recipients.
| Year | Honours list | Recipients |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | |
| 2025 | 3 | |
| 2024 | 1 | |
| 2023 | 1 | |
| 2022 | 3 | |
| 2021 | 3 | |
| 2020 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 2 | |
| 2018 | 2 | |
| 2017 | 4 | |
| 2016 | 3 | |
| 2013 | 1 | |
| 2012 | 1 |
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.
Background from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
At a glance
- Established
- 1917 by King George V
- Awarding body
- The British Crown
- Rank
- Knight Commander (KBE)
- Formal title
- Sir
Overview
Recognises major national achievement or service
Eligibility
Individuals with significant national impact
- Leadership
- Public service
- Major achievement
National
Rank & Precedence
Knight Commander (KBE) - Above CBE, below GBE
- Above: Commander (CBE)
- Below: Knight Grand Cross (GBE)
Entitlements
- Post-nominal letters
- KBE
- Formal title
- Sir
- Insignia
- Badge, star, sash
Award Process
- Public nominations
- Honours committee
- Approved by the Sovereign
Announced: New Year Honours and King's Birthday Honours
Royal ceremony
Significance
Major national achievement
- Excellence
- Leadership
- Service
Sources & further reading
- Honours: overview - GOV.UK
- Awards and accreditation - The Gazette
- Order of the British Empire - Wikipedia
Honoria is an independent reference. Awards are described from public sources; it is not an official or royal body.
Linked data
The second grade of the Order of the British Empire for men, conferring a knighthood; recipients are styled Sir and use the post-nominal KBE. Women receive the equivalent grade of Dame Commander (DBE).
- Post-nominal
- KBE
- Wikidata
- Q12201445
- The Gazette ontology
- gaz:KnightCommanderOrderOfTheBritishEmpire
From the Honoria honours vocabulary (SKOS). exactMatch = Wikidata; closeMatch = The Gazette honours ontology (official but a 2008–2015 beta).
Related honours
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)CBE
- Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO)CVO
- Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG)CMG
- Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)CB
- Companion of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH)CH
- Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (DCMG)DCMG