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"Sir Tony" - here in a photo from the summer of last year
Photo: TOLGA AKMEN / AFP
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has knighted former Prime Minister Tony Blair.
As part of the traditional New Year's ceremony, officials who are at the forefront of the fight against the corona pandemic were also honored.
Former Spice Girls singer Melanie Brown was honored for her commitment to combating domestic violence.
The Queen also made her daughter-in-law Camilla a member of the traditional Order of the Garter.
The Queen's annual honors recognize the accomplishments and contributions of people across the UK, including those from the world of show business, sports and politics.
The selection will be approved by Prime Minister Boris Johnson before the Queen awards the honors in ceremonies later this year.
This time, almost every fifth honor was linked to the pandemic.
Those honored "have inspired and entertained us and given so much to their communities in the United Kingdom, and in many cases around the world," said Johnson.
Tony Blair, who was British Prime Minister for the Labor Party from 1997 to 2007, was named a member of the Order of the Garter. This is the UK's highest award. Blair is controversial among the British population mainly because of his support for the USA in the 2003 Iraq war. The 68-year-old, who has repeatedly criticized the government's policy since leaving, described the award as a "great honor". His predecessor, John Major, received the award in 2005.
Camilla, the wife of the heir to the throne, Prince Charles, was appointed royal member of the Order of the Garter by the Queen.
This currently includes the Queen's children - Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward - as well as her eldest grandson, Prince William;
but not their spouse.
Camilla had taken on more and more royal duties in recent years and was more and more popular with the public.
The Order of the Garter is the oldest order of knights in the world and was founded in 1348 by King Edward III.
founded.
It comprises a maximum of 24 non-royals, personally selected by the monarch.
With the New Years Ceremonies, Chris Whitty, the UK Government’s chief medical officer, and his deputy, Jonathan Van-Tam, were knighted. Likewise, songwriter Bernie Taupin, who had composed hits like "Rocket Man" and "Candle In The Wind" together with Elton John. The chief scientific advisers to the governments of England, Scotland and Wales and the heads of the British health authorities were also recognized for their services in the fight against the coronavirus.
Actor Daniel Craig, who slipped into the role of British secret agent James Bond for the fifth and last time with the film "No Time to Die" in 2021, was named "Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George".
It is a rare honor that James Bond writer Ian Fleming also bestowed on his character in the novels.
James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli also received an award.
sbo / dpa