New Appointments to the Order of Merit

Published

His Majesty The King has been pleased to make six new appointments to the Order of Merit.  Appointments to the Order are made in recognition of distinguished service to the Armed Forces, science, art, literature, or for the promotion of culture. The individuals were chosen by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in early September.

The new appointments are Sir David Adjaye OBE, RA; Professor Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, DBE, FCRN; Baroness Floella Benjamin, DBE; Professor Margaret MacMillan, CHC  CC (Canada); Sir Paul Nurse, CH; and Dr Venki Ramakrishnan.

These appointments are the first since His Majesty became Sovereign of the Order.

The Order of Merit

The Order of Merit, founded in 1902 by King Edward VII, is a special mark of honour conferred by the Sovereign on individuals of exceptional distinction in the armed forces, science, arts, literature, or for the promotion of culture. Appointments to the Order are in the Sovereign's personal gift. The Order is restricted to 24 members.

Related content

Feature

An Open Letter from The Duchess of Cambridge to Midwives

The Duchess of Cambridge has written an open letter to midwives across the country
News

A Royal Recipe: Cinnamon Stars

13 December 2019

The Countess of Wessex's speech at the Sovereign's Parade, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

As you climb each step think of the thousands of officers who have gone before you; those who fought and survived, those who fought and died in the many campaigns since...

13 December 2019
Press release 03 December 2019

New patronage announced for The Duchess of Cambridge

Read more

A message from Her Majesty The Queen following the Terror Attacks at London Bridge

Prince Philip and I have been saddened to hear of the terror attacks at London Bridge. We send our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies to all those who have lost loved...

30 November 2019
Feature

The Duke of Cambridge visits Kuwait and Oman

Find out more about the programme for His Royal Highness's visit

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the Tusk Conservation Awards

My generation and those following are acutely aware that we cannot simply carry on as we are.

21 November 2019
Press release 20 November 2019

A statement by His Royal Highness The Duke of York

Read more

The Queen's speech on awarding Sir David Attenborough the Chatham House Prize

Your ability to communicate the beauty and vulnerability of our natural environment remains unequalled

20 November 2019

Remarks by HRH The Prince of Wales at Waitangi, New Zealand

New Zealand has faced up to the most painful periods of her past in a way that offers an example to the world. She has done so with courage, compassion and tolerance –...

20 November 2019
Press release 19 November 2019

The Duke of Cambridge's visit to Kuwait and Oman

Read more

A speech by The Duke of Sussex at the OnSide Awards at the Royal Albert Hall

It’s because of all of your efforts that 50,000 young people are getting access to such amazing experiences every single year.

17 November 2019

A speech by The Duchess of Cambridge at the opening of The Nook Children’s Hospice, Norfolk

Thank you, John. It is wonderful to be here today to open The Nook Hospice. And a huge congratulations to everyone here involved. The Nook is a realisation of a vision that...

15 November 2019

A speech by The Duchess of Cambridge at the opening of The Nook Children’s Hospice, Norfolk

Your hugely dedicated and talented team are at the core of this success and I wanted especially today to thank you

15 November 2019

A speech by The Countess of Wessex at the 100 Women in Finance 18th Annual New York Gala

I invite you all to become more visible, to be great examples to young women and, if you aren't already, to become champions and mentors.

14 November 2019

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge the Centrepoint 50th Anniversary Gala

It might seem an odd thing to say at a milestone event such as this, but I hope that Centrepoint will not need to be around in another 50 years.

13 November 2019
Feature

The Duke of Cambridge marks 50 years of Centrepoint

The Duke of Cambridge, Patron since 2005, marks 50 years of Centrepoint

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the London's Air Ambulance Charity gala

The trauma teams working with London’s Air Ambulance are world class.

07 November 2019

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the launch of the National Emergencies Trust

Whenever and wherever disaster strikes here in the UK, this country has a unique way of pulling together.

07 November 2019
Feature

Remembrance 2019

Members of the Royal Family remember the war dead.

A speech by The Duchess of Cornwall to celebrate The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition 2019

Ladies and Gentlemen, It’s a huge pleasure to welcome you to Buckingham Palace today. Queen Victoria, my husband’s great-great-great-grandmother, was the first British...

31 October 2019

A speech by The Countess of Wessex celebrating the work of The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust

On behalf of the people The Trust has helped thank you to each and every one of you for all your incredible support, and to Your Majesty thank you for choosing to give the...

29 October 2019
Feature

The Prince of Wales visits Japan

The Prince of Wales visits Japan

A speech by The Countess of Wessex in Kosovo

My commitment to them is that I shall also raise my own voice and continue to seek ways of ending the stigma they live with, push for opportunities for justice and encourage...

17 October 2019
Media pack

Financial reports 2006-7

The Queen as Head of State continues to cost the taxpayer just 62 pence per person per year – less than the price of two first class stamps - Buckingham Palace announced today...