King Charles' Palace Considers 'Order of British Excellence' Alternative, Sparking Debate Over Tradition
Kemi Badenoch, the newly appointed leader of the Conservative Party, is anticipated to be "deeply sceptical" of proposals aimed at removing the term "empire" from British honours, as stated by Shadow Culture Secretary Julia Lopez.
According to reports in the Mail on Sunday, royal officials under King Charles are considering offering recipients of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) the choice of a new honour, possibly named the Order of British Excellence. Another suggestion being considered is the Order of Elizabeth.
Any modifications to the honours system would, however, require government approval. Lopez speculated that Badenoch, known for her traditionalist stance, would likely oppose the proposed changes.
During an interview on Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, Lopez expressed that such adjustments imply a sense of embarrassment tied to the empire. She contended that this is not a sentiment Badenoch shares, adding, "I don’t think that she’s ever thought that it is," underscoring Badenoch’s likely commitment to preserving the current values within the honours system.
