Acclaimed British author Martin Amis posthumously knighted by King Charles III on first birthday honors list

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Renowned British novelist Martin Amis, whose death saddened the literary world last month, has been posthumously conferred with a knighthood by King Charles III. The announcement was part of the king’s inaugural birthday honors list, unveiled late Friday.

Amis, who succumbed to esophageal cancer at his home in Florida aged 73, had accepted the knighthood recognizing his contribution to literature shortly before his passing. His knightly status, as per the honors list, is backdated to May 18, a day prior to his demise.

The prestigious recognition for Amis, the writer of “Money,” a sharp satirical take on London’s consumerism, comes 33 years subsequent to his father, the comic novelist Kingsley Amis, receiving the same honor from Charles’s mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

A close literary colleague of Martin Amis, Ian McEwan, was distinguished as a Companion of Honor. This is one of the highest honors within the king’s power to grant. McEwan, the mind behind notable works such as “Amsterdam” and “Atonement,” confessed that the recognition came as “a complete surprise,” comparing it to “a really good review.”

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The honorees also include Anna Wintour, Vogue’s editor-in-chief, and Professor John Bell, who is recognized for his contribution to medicine and medical research.

The award was established by King George V, Charles’s great-grandfather, in 1917 to acknowledge individuals who have made a significant and enduring impact on the fields of arts, science, medicine, or government. A limit of 65 recipients can hold this honor at any given time. Notable current recipients are environmentalist David Attenborough, musician Elton John, and Canadian author Margaret Atwood.

Other recipients include former Arsenal footballer and now commentator Ian Wright, receiving an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his contributions to sport and charity. Davina McCall, a familiar face on British television hosting popular reality programs like “Big Brother,” has been admitted into the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE).

Richard Moore, head of the MI6 overseas intelligence agency, has also been knighted for his “extraordinary contribution” to British foreign policy and national security during a particularly testing period following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Charity worker Terry Waite, held hostage in Lebanon for nearly five years until 1991, also received a knighthood.

The honors list also celebrates individuals beyond the public eye, with 52% of the 1,171 recipients acknowledged for “outstanding work” within their communities, either in a voluntary or paid capacity. This community service focus is central to this year’s list, according to those managing the selection process.

Women make up exactly half of the recipients, a slight decrease from last year’s 51.5%. Yet, it still marks the third consecutive year where women have made up at least half of the Birthday Honors list.

The oldest honoree, Joan Willett, 106, received a British Empire Medal for her charity fundraising efforts for the British Heart Foundation, while the youngest, Junior Jay Frood, 18, earned the same honor for his services to vulnerable children.

“Receiving this award feels amazing because it shows that age is not a barrier,” Frood expressed.

Some 11% of the awards went to individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds. Although this is a slight decrease from last year’s 13.3%, it remains higher than rates from the previous decade. Recipients with disabilities or long-term health conditions made up 13% of the total, an increase from 9.3% the previous year.

“Our honors system continues to recognize extraordinary contributions to British life and beyond,” stated deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden.

British honors are also presented at New Year’s and upon the departure of a prime minister from office. A list from former prime minister Boris Johnson last week incited allegations of cronyism as many of his staunch aides and allies were honored with knighthoods and other distinctions.

The honorees are actually selected by civil servant committees, based on nominations from the government and the public. The awards are typically bestowed by the monarch or a high-ranking royal representative during investiture ceremonies at Buckingham Palace.

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• Martin Amis
• King Charles III
• Ian McEwan
• Anna Wintour
• British Honors System
• Companion of Honor
• John Bell
• British Empire Medal
• Joan Willett (this link is hypothetical, assuming that she has an existing page dedicated to her)
• Junior Jay Frood (this link is hypothetical, assuming that he has an existing page dedicated to him)