Author Pat Barker and stage star Elaine Paige made dames and Antony Gormley becomes a Companion of Honour
The actor Gary Oldman and Roger Daltrey, frontman of the Who, have been knighted in the king’s birthday honours list, which also confirms there is a knighthood for David Beckham, while the Angel of the North sculptor, Sir Antony Gormley, receives the top gong of Companion of Honour.
Pat Barker, the author of The Regeneration Trilogy, Penny Mordaunt, the former defence secretary, and the ceramicist Emma Bridgewater are among those to be made dames.
Beckham, 50, who has been honoured for services to sport and charity, said he “never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honour”. He added: “It will take a little while for the news to sink in but I’m immensely proud and it’s such an emotional moment for me to share with my family.”
He had been on the verge of receiving a knighthood in 2014 but HM Revenue and Customs placed a red flag on his nomination due to his involvement in an alleged tax avoidance scheme, according to previous reports. In 2021 it was reported that his finances had been cleared and he was now eligible.
