Authors Blackman and Donaldson made dames in honours list
Noughts & Crosses author Malorie Blackman and Gruffalo creator Julia Donaldson are made dames, as the rugby league star is knighted.
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Notable Quotes
"I am deeply honoured and grateful to receive this award on behalf of the rugby and MND communities."
— Kevin Sinfield , Athlete
"It feels very different to get an individual award."
— Kevin Sinfield , Athlete
"Very humbled, very overwhelmed by all of it, really."
— Kevin Sinfield , Athlete
"Of course, Burrow is always very much at the forefront of Sinfield's thoughts."
— Kevin Sinfield , Athlete
"Since I first played rugby when I was seven, rugby league has given me so much."
— Kevin Sinfield , Athlete
"On behalf of the whole Burrow family, I would like to congratulate Kevin on his knighthood, we are all delighted for him and I can not think of a more deserving recipient."
— Lindsey Burrow , Activist
"Receiving this honour has been a very happy surprise."
— Julia Donaldson , Celebrity
"So I’m making a plea to the Government for more libraries and more librarians in our communities and schools."
— Julia Donaldson , Celebrity
Key People
Anna Kim Taylor is an activist focused on addressing food insecurity.
Lionesses player who scored the penalty to win Euro 2025.
Veteran wildlife broadcaster and natural historian celebrating his 100th birthday.
Renowned photojournalist honored as Sir.
Rugby union player and record points scorer for the Red Roses.
Gordon Brown is a former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Acclaimed actress recognized as Dame.
Julia Catherine Donaldson is the author of the beloved children's book 'The Gruffalo.'
Children's author known for creating The Gruffalo.
Rugby league star known for his fundraising efforts for motor neurone disease.
Lindsey Burrow is the widow of rugby league player Rob Burrow and advocates for awareness and support for Motor Neurone Disease.
Golfer who has captained the European Ryder Cup team.
Children's author best known for her book Noughts & Crosses.
Margaret Atwood is a renowned Canadian author known for her contributions to literature.
Professor Patrick Phillip Vernon is an advocate for the recognition of Windrush Day.
Rob Burrow was a professional rugby league player who battled Motor Neurone Disease and inspired fundraising efforts for the condition.
Ryan Moore is a Brighton-born jockey who has been made an MBE.
Shaun Murphy is a professional snooker player and World Champion.
Sir Donald McCullin is a war photographer known for his impactful images of conflict and inequality.
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All Coverage
Noughts & Crosses author Malorie Blackman and Gruffalo creator Julia Donaldson are made dames, as the rugby league star is knighted.
Nearly 1,200 individuals were honoured in the King's Birthday Honours list, including rugby legend Kevin Sinfield, who was knighted for his services to the MND community and rugby, and authors Julia Donaldson and Malorie Blackman, who were both made dames for their contributions to literature.
A report on individuals from Brighton and Hove recognised in the King's Birthday Honours, including children's author Julia Donaldson, who was made a dame for her services to literature.
Rugby league star Kevin Sinfield has been knighted in the King’s Birthday Honours, with authors Malorie Blackman and Julia Donaldson both made dames.
Julia Donaldson, author of the best-selling children's book 'The Gruffalo', was made a dame for services to literature alongside Malorie Blackman.
Kevin Sinfield awarded knighthood for services to rugby and the MND community; Sinfield will run an ultra marathon every day for seven days between September 28 and Super League Grand Final on October 3; Golf's Luke Donald, rugby's Emily Scarratt, snooker's Shaun Murphy made OBEs.
The Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson said being made a dame was a “very happy surprise”, as she issued a plea to the Government for “more libraries and more librarians in our communities and schools” so children can enjoy the benefits of reading.
An explanation of the different ranks in the UK's honours system, including the recent awards to authors Julia Donaldson and Malorie Blackman, who were both made dames for their services to literature.
Rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield and six members of the England women's football team, known as the Lionesses, have been honoured in the King's Birthday Honours list. Sinfield was knighted for his services to the MND community and rugby, while the Lionesses received MBEs for their contributions to football.
E c’è Julia Catherine Donaldson, autrice del successo editoriale britannico, «The Gruffalo» diventato uno dei libri più letti dai bambini di tutto il mondo. A Donaldson il sovrano ha conferito il titolo di Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath. E ancora, nella Honour list di questo compleanno 2026 del re, figurano Lord Peter Duncan Fraser co fondatore di Aardman Animations e David Sproxton.
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