The Queen appoints former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Don McKinnon, as GCVO

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

The Queen has been pleased to appoint former Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Right Honourable Don McKinnon, as Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) in recognition of his outstanding service as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.

Awards in the Royal Victorian Order are made personally by The Queen for services to the Sovereign.

Background

Don McKinnon served as the Commonwealth Secretary-General for eight years from 2000 to 2008. He was elected at the November 1999 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Durban, South Africa, following a 21-year career in New Zealand politics. After being elected to Parliament in 1978, Don McKinnon was New Zealand’s longest serving Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Don McKinnon also holds the Order of New Zealand, New Zealand’s highest honour.

On appointment of the GCVO, he will officially be titled: Sir Donald McKinnon GCVO ONZ.