Michael Palin, the Knight who said ‘ni’
Sussex Honours
COMPANION OF HONOUR
Dame Beryl Elizabeth Grey, DBE. For services to dance, East Grinstead.
Sir Paul McCartney, MBE. For services to music.
Nicholas Herbert Baron Stern of Brentford. For services to economics, international relations and tackling climate change, Midhurst.
DAMEHOOD
Julie Walters, CBE. For services to drama, Plaistow.
June Whitfield, CBE. For services to drama and entertainment, Petworth.
CBE
Raymond Briggs. Illustrator cartoonist and author. For services to literature, Westmeston.
Michael Hammond. For services to international development, Bexhill.
Professor Melissa Leach. Director of the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex. For services to the social sciences, Brighton.
National Honours
Dozens of emergency service workers have been recognised in the New Year honours list that highlights the extraordinary response to major terrorist incidents in London and Manchester.
Celebrities recognised included the 1960s model Twiggy, who becomes a dame, and the comedian and TV presenter Michael Palin, who is knighted, along with the literary giants Margaret Atwood and Philip Pullman.
Sports stars who were recognised include the former England cricket captain Alastair Cook and the former England rugby union captain Bill Beaumont who both received a knighthood.
The England football manager, Gareth Southgate, and Geraint Thomas, winner of the Tour de France, received OBEs. Harry Kane, the England footballer who won the golden boot as the World Cup’s top scorer, was given an MBE.
Gareth Southgate guided the Three Lions to the World Cup semi-finals in Russia.
The cave rescuers in Thailand. Richard Stanton and John Volanthen, the first divers to reach the teenagers, have been given the George Medal, the second highest civilian gallantry award.
Michael Palin, who is knighted in the diplomatic service and overseas list for services to travel, culture and geography, said the news had not yet sunk in.
He added a comment about his film work: “I have been a knight before in Python films. I have been several knights including Sir Galahad and the knight who said ‘ni’.” He said was planning a quiet celebration with a glass of Horlicks.
