New Year’s Honours 2025: From Spy Kudos to Science Triumphs
London – In a dazzling mix of classic British flair and modern science, the Queen’s annual honours list wrapped up the year with a few surprising picks. Scientists and medical heads are the new stars, while the legendary actor who once played James Bond gets an award that’s almost as iconic as his tuxedo.
Bond, But Really—Daniel Craig Gets Hooked
- Daniel Craig—the man who finally shook his “I’ll be back” promise on the set of No Time to Die—was named a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG). That’s the same honour that hauled the fictional spy into the annals of history.
- Now, Craig’s title collection is a match‑make. He’s also an honorary Commander in the Royal Navy (September) and, according to the list, has earned every coveted accolade the modern Bond fan could wish for.
Medical and Scientific Mavericks Take the Stage
- The Chief Medical Officers of England, Scotland, and Wales—Chris Whitty, Gregor Smith, and Frank Atherton—each received a knighthood, proving the NHS isn’t just a health care system, it’s an honour army.
- Not to be outshined, Deputy Medical Officers got recognitions too: Jonathan Van‑Tam was knighted and Jenny Harries received the double‑daim (dame) title.
- National adviser Patrick Vallance climbed the ranks again, being named a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath.
- The vaccine trailblazers got their own credits: Pfizer’s Rod MacKenzie, BioNTech’s Sean Marett, and Moderna’s Melanie Ivarsson all earned special honours.
Sporting Legends Get Silver Linings
- Gold‑hoarding cyclist Jason Kenny stole the show with his seventh Olympic gold medal, earning a knighthood. His wife Laura, the first woman to win gold at three consecutive Games, was made a dame.
- From the diving pool, Adam Peaty and Tom Daley each received OBEs for smashing records.
- Emma Raducanu shocked the tennis crowd by becoming the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam title (US Open) and snagged an MBE for her triumph.
- Other sporting icons include songwriter Bernie Taupin (CBE) and veteran actresses Joanna Lumley and Vanessa Redgrave, both honoured with damehoods.
Why It All Matters
The New Years’ honours list has been a fixture since Queen Victoria’s reign, celebrating everything from superstar spectacles to unsung heroes quietly shaping our country’s future. As Boris Johnson put it, “These recipients have inspired and entertained us and given so much to their communities in the UK or in many cases around the world.”
So whether it’s the echoes of a shaken head from a spy studio or the clink of vaccine vials in a lab, Britain’s list of accolades proves there’s no shortage of stories worth telling this New Year.
