Rugby star Sinfield and authors Blackman and Donaldson lead honours list

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Rugby star Sinfield and authors Donaldson and Blackman lead honours list8 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleGeorge SandemanPA / / BBCKevin Sinfield is knighted while Malorie Blackman and Julia Donaldson are made damesRugby league star Kevin Sinfield is knighted while children's authors Malorie Blackman and Julia Donaldson are made dames in the King's Birthday Honours. In addition to his sporting career, the former England captain is recognised for raising millions of pounds for charities tackling motor neurone disease (MND). Dame Julia and Dame Malorie are honoured for their services to literature.

Their best known works - The Gruffalo and Noughts & Crosses - have both been adapted for the screen. Several of the Lionesses who won Euro 2025 are appointed MBEs, including Chloe Kelly who scored the penalty to win the tournament, while Charlotte Tilbury, founder of her eponymous beauty brand, is made a CBE. The actress Dame Helen Mirren and photojournalist Sir Don McCullin are made Companions of Honour, of which there are only 65 at any one time.

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Members are recognised for major contributions to arts, science, medicine, or government over a long period of time. Getty ImagesSir Don McCullin and Dame Helen Mirren are made Companions of Honour, a select group of 65Two women who set up support groups for families that lost relatives during the pandemic are appointed MBEs; Deborah Lewis for Covid-19 Families UK and Constance McCready for Covid-19 Families Scotland. They, like the majority of the list, are recognised for work in their communities and for charity.

Peter Lord and David Sproxton founded Aardman Animations in 1972 after meeting at schoolIn the world of entertainment, the founders of the animation studio behind Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run - Peter Lord and David Sproxton - are knighted. The broadcaster Anneka Rice - best known for Treasure Hunt - is made MBE and Catatonia singer Cerys Matthews is made OBE. Sports personalitiesSir Kevin, who scored the most points in Super League history, began his fundraising efforts after his teammate Rob Burrow was diagnosed with MND in 2019.

He embarked on a series of marathons and endurance challenges, raising more than £11m. During a marathon in 2023, Sinfield pushed Burrow in a wheelchair along the course before carrying him over the finish line. Burrow died a year later.

"I am deeply honoured and grateful to receive this award on behalf of the rugby and MND communities," said Sir Kevin. "Since I first played rugby when I was seven, rugby league has given me so much. "Lindsey Burrow, Rob Burrow's widow, said: "I know he has said he is dedicated to supporting the MND community for however long it takes to find a cure, and that means so much to so many people to have a champion like Kevin in their corner.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.