Patrick Doyle and Tony Iommi lead musical recognitions in King’s birthday honours
12 June 2026, 22:30
The list also features conductor Paul McCreesh, soprano Louise Alder, and figures from across the cultural sector.
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His Majesty the King’s Birthday Honours list for 2026 has been announced, celebrating community change-makers across the UK including key figures from the music and arts worlds.
Film composer Patrick Doyle, best known for his beloved scores to Sense and Sensibility, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and Disney Pixar’s Brave, is made CBE for services to Film.
Doyle is joined on the list by two stars from films he has scored. Celebrated British actor Helen Mirren, who starred in Calendar Girls, becomes Member of the Order of the Companion of Honour, 23 years after she was made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003.
Shirley Henderson, who starred in Doyle-scored films Bridget Jones and Harry Potter, is awarded Medallist of the Order of the British Empire.
Read more: Dame Helen Mirren: ‘I find classical music more exciting... I love Stravinsky’
Helen Mirren and Celia Imrie on their musical families
Conductor and founder of the Gabrieli Consort, Paul McCreesh is made CBE for services to Music and Music Education. Also becoming CBE is Longborough Festival Opera music director Anthony Negus, for services to Opera, particularly Mozart and Wagner, and to Young Artists.
The Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson, who has also hosted an exclusive playlist with Classic FM, is made Dame.
Composer Roxanna Panufnik is made OBE for services to Music and Charity, while soprano Louise Alder becomes MBE for services to Music.
Black Sabbath co-founder and guitarist Tony Iommi, who collaborated and shared the stage with Birmingham Royal Ballet on their groundbreaking 2023 production Black Sabbath: The Ballet, is also made MBE for services to Music and Charity.
Footballer Michelle Agyemang, who was instrumental in the Lionesses’ performance in the 2025 Euros, is the youngest recipient on the list at 20 years old. Alongside five teammates, she is receiving an MBE for services to Association Football.
Agyemang is also a keen piano player, and even transported her piano to her accommodation in Basel so that she could play to unwind and focus during the competition.
She said: “I don’t think that there’s a day that I go without playing it because it’s right in front of me. Especially on game days I probably spend about two hours just playing and enjoying myself.”
Read more: England star Michelle Agyemang has taken her piano to the Euros: ‘It’s calm and relaxing’
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Across the UK, people are quietly changing lives and strengthening their communities. This Honours List is a chance to recognise them.
“Their dedication shows how lasting change is built - through compassion, resilience and a commitment to others. It speaks to the decent, hopeful country we are proud to be, and on behalf of the whole nation, I want to say thank you.”
