The King has already stripped nine people of their honourary OBE titles just this month – and it comes after a famous sportsman was part of the group annulled
The decision isn’t made lightly, but King Charles can remove people of their honorary titles and has already done so nine times this month.
The King has already stripped nine people of their OBE’s (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) just this month – usually for those who have criminal convictions, misconduct or being struck off from a regulatory body. This includes former Scottish Rugby player Stuart Hogg had his MBE removed after he pled guilty to domestic abuse charges against his then estranged wife Gillian.
The former Glasgow Warriors fullback had a decorated career with a century of caps for his country as well as being involved in three three British and Irish Lions tours.
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This dedication saw him awarded an MBE in the 2024 New Year honours for his services to rugby, but has now been cancelled and annulled. However according to BBC News, Hogg admitted to shouting, swearing and acting in an abusive manner towards Gillian, which then saw calls to strip him of the honour.
The full notice in the UK’s official public record The Gazette reads: “The King has directed that the appointment of Stuart William Hogg to be a Member of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, dated 30 December 2023 shall be cancelled and annulled and that his name shall be erased from the Register of the said Order.”
Among others who have been stripped is a Cumbrian owl sanctuary owner earlier this month. Paul Allen Rose, founder of Barrow’s Owl Sanctuary, was sentenced in May 2024, after pleading guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and one count of failing to ensure animal welfare, contrary to Section 4 and Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, according to The Telegraph and Argus.
A notice published on Thursday, March 5 by The Gazette says Rose had his MBE title stripped due to a criminal conviction.
This criminal connviction saw his prestigious title taken away. However there are a number of people who have also had their honours taken away, including:
- Ian Ashbold, received MBE in 2016, stripped due to a Criminal Conviction
- Lloyd Hamilton, received MBE in 2011, stripped due to Criminal conviction
- Angela Middleton, received MBE in 2019, stripped due to bringing the honours system into disrepute.
- Nigel O’Connor, received MBE in 2015, stripped due to professional censure.
- Tony Reilly, received OBE in 2011, stripped due to professional censure.
- Paul Rose, received MBE in 2002, stripped due to Criminal conviction.
- Anant Shah, received OBE in 2020, stripped due to bringing the honours system into disrepute.
- Graham Trewhella, received MBE in 2010, stripped due to criminal conviction.
- Stuart Hogg, received MBE in 2024, stripped due to criminal conviction.
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