Helping You

Honours recognise the extraordinary achievements of ordinary people, and nominations for honours are welcomed from members of the public. The Prime Minister is keen that contributions to society are acknowledged.

The numbers of honours are limited, so only those who have given exceptional service, either nationally or locally, are likely to succeed. This does not mean that the contributions of other people nominated for honours go unappreciated or unnoticed. Being invited to a Royal Garden Party is seen as such an acknowledgement. Nominations are provided by the Deputy Lieutenants and cover people from all walks of life, particularly those who contribute to public or voluntary work. 

The national honours system recognises people who have:

• made a significant achievement in public life
• committed themselves to serving and helping others in the UK
• responded to the Covid Pandemic and are deserving of an award

They’ll usually have made life better for other people or be outstanding at what they do.

People get honours for achievements like:

• making a difference to their community or field of work
• enhancing the UK's  reputation
• long-term voluntary service
• innovation and entrepreneurship
• changing things, with an emphasis on achievement
• improving life for people less able to help themselves
• displaying moral courage

Any UK citizen is encouraged to nominate another person (aged 18 or over), who they feel has made an outstanding contribution to society, for a national honour.  Only a few of those nominated can hope to receive an honour and these are announced (usually 1–3 years after the nomination) either in The New Year’s Honours List or the King’s Birthday Honours list  each year.

In all cases, it helps for the nominations to be routed through the Lieutenancy (here) who can then try to assist.  

Further information and nomination forms for individuals can be found here https://www.gov.scot/publications/honours/:

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) is  extremely prestigious, and is  the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK.

Any group of two or more people doing volunteering work can be nominated for the award. The majority of the group must be volunteers, and more than half the volunteers must have the right to live in the UK.

To be nominated they should do work that:

• provides a service and meets a need for people living in the local community
• is supported, recognised and respected by the local community and the people who benefit from it
• is run locally

Volunteer groups should have been running for three years or more to be nominated.

Winners get a signed certificate  and a domed glass crystal.

Representatives from the group may also be invited to attend a royal garden party.

If you would like to find out if your organisation or group may qualify for a King’s Award for Voluntary Service, then do get in touch with the East Lothian Lieutenancy team, as we can provide useful advice and support on the nominating process.

In all cases, it helps for the nominations to be routed through the Lieutenancy (here) who can then try to assist.  

Further information and nomination forms can be found here:

The King’s Awards for Enterprise (KAE) are for outstanding achievement by UK businesses in the categories of:

• innovation
• international trade
• sustainable development
• promoting opportunity through social mobility

The KAE is the most prestigious award a business can receive in the  UK. Winners have reported benefiting from worldwide recognition, increased commercial value, greater press coverage and a boost to staff morale. The awards are valid for 5 years.

Find out if your business is eligible

Successful recipients of the KAE are 

• invited to a Royal reception at Buckingham Palace
• presented with the award at the Company’s premises by  The   Lord-Lieutenant as the King’s representative
• able to fly The King’s Awards flag at Company’s premises, and use the emblem on marketing materials (for example, on packaging, advertisements, stationery and website)
• given a Grant of Appointment (an official certificate) and a commemorative crystal trophy

In all cases, it helps for the nominations to be routed through the Lieutenancy (here) who can then try to assist.  

Members of the Royal Family like to encourage voluntary and community endeavour, by visiting and thanking suitable organisations. A Royal Visit is a memorable occasion which honours the work and achievements of an organisation or community. It is an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the different ways in which people have been involved in either a special piece of work or occasion.

The Lieutenancy can provide advice and support regarding applying for a Royal Visit.

Diary commitments mean that these usually need to be planned several months in advance. All applications for a visit by a member of the Royal Family to a voluntary organisation, charity or company should be routed through the Lieutenancy here, as we can give guidance:

Nominations are accepted by the Lieutenancy through the Lord Lieutenant or Deputy Lieutenants for an invitation to one of the annual Royal Garden Parties at The Palace of Holyroodhouse. This is usually to recognise voluntary work or other local achievement and invitees can normally only hope to attend once in a lifetime. Please contact your local DL or contact the Lieutenancy here:

A congratulatory card from The King will be sent from Buckingham Palace to all citizens who reach their 100th birthday, or 105th birthday and annually thereafter. On application to the Lieutenancy (here), these can be handed over personally on behalf of the King by the Lord Lieutenant or one of his Deputy Lieutenants.

A congratulatory card from The King can also be arranged for those celebrating 60th (Diamond), 65th or 70th (Platinum) Wedding Anniversaries but these have to be arranged in advance through the Lieutenancy,  as national records do not automatically alert the Palace to these. Please contact your local DL or contact the Lieutenancy in good time, here:

Applications for a visit by the Lord Lieutenant or a Deputy Lieutenant to a voluntary organisation, charity or company should be made through the Lieutenancy here:

 On 9 March 2024, the Government announced the introduction of a commemorative emblem as a mark of recognition for those who lost their lives in the course of undertaking eligible public service.  For further information go to:  The Elizabeth Emblem - application guidance and eligibility - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)