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

A message from The King on Holocaust Memorial Day 2023

In learning from the horrors of the Holocaust and the genocides which followed, we can all recommit to the vital principles of freedom of conscience, generosity of spirit, and...

27 January 2023

Remarks by The Queen Consort at the opening of the Royal Osteoporosis Society's Bath City Centre offices

The modernisation, the technology, that has happened in osteoporosis is incredible. So let’s go from strength to strength and make it even better.

25 January 2023
Feature

The Coronation Weekend

Find out more about events to mark the Coronation Weekend in May.
The Coronation Weekend
Feature

Royal Recipe: Cranachan

The Royal Chefs have shared their Cranachan Recipe
Press release 21 January 2023

Coronation Weekend plans announced

Read more

The King's message following the plane crash in Pokhara, Nepal

Our special thoughts and prayers are with you and the people of Nepal at this time of immeasurable sorrow.

19 January 2023

A speech by The Queen Consort at the University of Aberdeen

Ladies and Gentlemen, you have a great past: 5 Nobel Laureates and 525 years of academic excellence. Your future, I know, will be greater still and, as your very proud...

18 January 2023
Press release 13 January 2023

The King's Gold Medal for Poetry 2022

Read more

The Queen Consort's message to mark 80 years of BFBS

You have done a huge amount to foster a true and profound sense of community amongst all those connected with the military family.

03 January 2023

A message of condolence from The King following the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

I remember with fondness my meeting with His Holiness during my visit to the Vatican in 2009.

31 December 2022

The King's Christmas Broadcast 2022

Christmas is a particularly poignant time for all of us who have lost loved ones. We feel their absence at every familiar turn of the season and remember them in each...

25 December 2022