The cave divers who rescued a Thai soccer team, 1960s model Twiggy, and Monty Python star Michael Palin are among those who have been recognized in Britain's annual New Year's Honours List.
Image: picture-alliance/PA Wire/M. Crossick
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Britain's 2019 Honours List recognizes Thai cave rescue divers, Twiggy, Michael Palin
1960s model Twiggy, Monty Python star Michael Palin and the cave divers who rescued a Thai soccer team are among those who have been recognized in Britain's annual New Year's Honours List.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/L. Rebours
Twiggy
Lesley "Twiggy" Lawson will become a dame — the female equivalent to a knighthood — for her services to fashion. The 1960s "it girl" had a modelling career that lasted decades and also starred in movies and theater. "It's wonderful, but it makes me giggle," she said. "The hardest thing has been keeping it a secret."
Image: picture-alliance/PA Wire/M. Crossick
Michael Palin
Monty Python star Michael Palin has received a knighthood in The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George for his services to travel, culture and geography. "I have been a knight before, in Python films," he said. "I don't think it will [sink in] until I see the envelopes addressing me as Sir Michael Palin."
Image: picture-alliance/ZUMA Press/S. Chung
John Redwood
The conservative parliamentarian has been honored as a knight bachelor — a knight not part of one of the orders of chivalry — and was one of four MPs awarded knighthoods. Redwood, a Brexit supporter, is a vocal opponent of Prime Minister Theresa May's draft Brexit deal, which is to be voted on in mid-January. Sir Edward Leigh, Sir Roger Gale and Philip Dunne were the other MPs honored.
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Alastair Cook, Bill Beaumont
Alastair Cook (left) and Bill Beaumont, former captains of England's cricket and rugby union teams respectively, received knighthoods for years of service to their respective sports. Cook, a four-time Ashes winner, retired from international cricket this year. Beaumont led England to a Five Nations Grand Slam in 1980 and is currently the chairman of World Rugby.
Philip Pullman
The best-selling British author of the His Dark Materials trilogy has received a knighthood for his services to literature. "I'm most grateful of all to those who continue to read my books, and I hope they don't have to work as hard as those who edit them," he said.
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Gareth Southgate, Harry Kane
Gareth Southgate and Harry Kane have been recognized after reaching the FIFA World Cup semifinals with the England national team in Russia this past summer. Southgate was named an officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and Kane, the tournament's Golden Boot winner, was made a member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
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Thailand cave divers
British cave divers were recognized for their roles in the dangerous rescue of a Thai soccer team in July. Joshua Bratchley, Lance Corporal, Connor Roe and Vernon Unsworth were gifted MBEs. Richard Stanton (pictured) and John Volanthen received George Medals, while Chris Jewell and Jason Mallinson received the Queen's Gallantry Medal.
Image: Getty Images/L. Pham
Christopher Nolan
The Oscar-nominated director (left) was named a commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services in drama. He was a nominee for the best director award at this year's Academy Awards for Dunkirk. He was also nominated for Inception in 2011 and for Memento in 2002.
Image: picture alliance/AP Photo/Warner Bros. Pictures/M.S. Gordon
Jim Carter
Jim Carter (right), who played butler Charles Carson on the hit television series Downton Abbey from 2010 to 2015, was gifted an OBE for his services to drama. He is reprising the role in the Downton Abbey film, which is scheduled to be released in September 2019.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/PBS/J. Barratt
Geraint Thomas
The Tour de France winner (left), who was named BBC's Sports Personality of the year earlier this month, was gifted an OBE. The Welsh cyclist ended Chris Froome's three-year run as Tour de France champion in July.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/L. Rebours
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British divers who rescued young soccer players trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand are among those being recognized in Britain's New Year's Honours List, along with 1960s model Twiggy and Monty Python star Michael Palin.
The honors process starts with public nominations, which are then selected by committees and sent to the prime minister before the various honors are bestowed by Queen Elizabeth II or senior royals.