New honour for The Prince of Wales

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE PRESS SECRETARY TO THE QUEEN

The Queen has been pleased to appoint The Prince of Wales KG, KT, GCB, AK, QSO to be a member of the Order of Merit.

Background
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 arts, learning, sciences and other areas. Appointments to the Order are in The Sovereign's personal gift and ministerial advice is not required.

The Prince of Wales's biography is available at www.princeofwales.gov.uk.

A list of the members of the Order of Merit is attached.

Released at 1200 hours BST, Wednesday 26th June, 2002

MEMBERS OF THE ORDER OF MERIT

Substantive Members
His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh,
 K.G., K.T., O.M., G.B.E., A.C., Q.S.O., F.R.S. 1968
Sir George Robert Edwards, O.M., C.B.E., F.R.S. 1971
The Reverend Professor William Owen Chadwick, O.M., K.B.E., F.B.A. 1983
Sir Andrew Fielding Huxley, O.M., F.R.S. 1983
Doctor Frederick Sanger, O.M., C.H., C.B.E., F.R.S. 1986
Dame Cicely Mary Strode Saunders, O.M., D.B.E., F.R.C.P. 1989
Professor George, Lord Porter of Luddenham, O.M., F.R.S. 1989
The Right Honourable Margaret Hilda, Lady Thatcher, L.G., O.M., F.R.S. 1990
Dame Joan Sutherland, O.M., A.C., D.B.E. 1991
Professor Francis Harry Compton Crick, O.M., F.R.S. 1991
Sir Michael Francis Atiyah, O.M., F.R.S. 1992
Lucian Freud, O.M., C.H. 1993
The Right Honourable Roy Harris, Lord Jenkins of Hillhead, O.M. 1993
Sir Aaron Klug, O.M., P.R.S. 1995
Lord Foster of Thames Bank, O.M., R.A. 1997
Sir Denis Eric Rooke, O.M., C.B.E., F.R.S. 1997
Sir James Whyte Black, O.M., F.R.S. 2000
Sir Anthony Alfred Caro, O.M., C.B.E. 2000
Professor Sir Roger Penrose, O.M., F.R.S. 2000
Sir Thomas Stoppard, O.M., C.B.E. 2000

Honorary Member
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, O.M. 1995