King Charles III has stripped 10 people of their honours in 2026.
The most recent – and most high‑profile – case came in July, when the King formally cancelled and annulled the knighthood of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson following his conviction for historic child sex offences.
A notice published in The London Gazette on Thursday, July 23, records that “THE KING has directed the cancellation and annulment of the Knighthood conferred upon Jeffrey Mark Donaldson on June 11, 2016 as a Knight Bachelor”.
Mr Donaldson was found guilty in June of 18 offences including rape and indecent assault against two women when they were children.
READ MORE: Clarkson’s Farm star shares emotional message after exit from show
He had already asked for his knighthood to be forfeited and resigned from the Privy Council, but the final decision rests with the Sovereign acting on official advice.
The leader of the Oxfordshire Conservatives, Liam Walker, has commended His Majesty for protecting the “integrity and value of the honours system” after removing the knighthood.
Mr Walker said: “Honours are awarded to recognise outstanding service and achievement, and anyone convicted of serious criminal offences has forfeited the privilege of holding them.
“Stripping those honours helps protect the integrity and value of the honours system.”
READ MORE: 80s singing legend to headline music festival amid bid to save historic pub
Mr Donaldson was the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party between 2021 and 2024 and has appeared at the Oxford Union, participating in a well-publicised debate in 2004.
He argued in favour of the motion: “This House would not talk to Sinn Fein”.
Earlier this year, in March, King Charles approved the forfeiture of honours from nine other individuals in a single batch, as recorded in related Gazette notices.
Those nine included Ian Ashbolt, who lost the MBE he received in 2016 for a criminal conviction and Lloyd Hamilton, stripped of his 2011 MBE for a criminal conviction.
Angela Middleton had her 2019 MBE forfeited for “bringing the honours system into disrepute”, while Nigel O’Connor lost his 2015 MBE following professional censure.
READ MORE: Britain’s smartest teen secures place at Oxford University with 23 A-levels
Tony Reilly’s 2011 OBE was also cancelled after professional censure, and Anant Shah lost his 2020 OBE for “bringing the honours system into disrepute”.
The list also included Paul Rose, owner of a Cumbrian owl sanctuary, stripped of the MBE he was awarded in 2002 for animal‑welfare offences.
Graham Trewhella’s 2010 MBE was revoked for a criminal conviction, and former Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg was stripped of the MBE he received in 2024 after admitting domestic abuse.
In each March case, the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood used the same formal wording: “The King has directed that the appointment…be cancelled and annulled.”
Government guidance says honours are revoked where an individual is deemed to have brought the honours system into disrepute, with the Forfeiture Committee assessing cases and making recommendations to the Prime Minister and, ultimately, to the King.
