LONDON -- Celluloid spy hero Roger Moore became real-life Sir Roger
on Queen Elizabeth II's birthday honors list, saluted for his charity
work along with scores of artists, scientists and less-celebrated
Britons.
Helen Mirren, one of Britain's most-admired actresses and star of the
"Prime Suspect" television police dramas, became a dame, the female
equivalent of a knight, as did renowned chimpanzee expert Jane Goodall
and Anita Roddick, founder of the Body Shop cosmetics chain.
The honors, officially published on Saturday, are bestowed by Queen
Elizabeth II but largely selected by the government. Many people are
nominated by the public.
In descending order, the honors are knighthoods, Commander of the
British Empire, Member of the Order of British Empire and Officer of the
British Empire. Those who are awarded CBEs, MBEs and OBEs have no title
but can put the letters after their names.
Orchestral conductor Sir Charles Mackerras, who has been musical
director of both the English National Opera and of Welsh National Opera,
was made a Companion of Honor, a prestigious title awarded for
"conspicuous service" to the nation.
Pop star Sting was made a CBE as was 100-year-old Lilian Doris
Thompson -- for her leadership of Blackpool's Pleasure Beach, where she
continued testing the amusement park's new rides throughout her 90s.
Fashion designer Alexander McQueen also became a CBE, and
television's "Naked Chef," Jamie Oliver, was made an MBE.
Moore, who succeeded Sir Sean Connery as James Bond, played the hero
in seven films. But his knighthood was bestowed for his work for UNICEF
and the Kiwanis International children's charity.
"I am so proud to be the recipient of this great honor," the
75-year-old Moore said. "I am doubly proud because this is an
acknowledgment of UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, an
organization I am honored to work for as an international goodwill
ambassador."
Mirren, long-admired in Britain, gained a wider international
audience as the queen in "The Madness of King George," for which she won
a 1994 Oscar nomination, and as Detective Jane Tennison in television's
"Prime Suspect." Mirren won her second Oscar nomination in 2001 for
"Gosford Park."
The 57-year-old star said she was "absolutely thrilled" with the
honor.
Actress Kristin Scott Thomas, Oscar-nominated for her role in "The
English Patient," became an Officer of the British Empire, or OBE. A CBE
went to actor Simon Russell Beale, who is regarded as one of the
country's finest Shakespearean actors. And stage actor Richard Briers,
also a favorite from television sitcoms, was made a CBE.
Former Pink Floyd lead guitarist Dave Gilmour, who recently donated
$5.9 million from the sale of his London home to a project to house the
homeless, also became a CBE.
Actor Jim Dale, who read the Harry Potter books for audio tapes, was
made an MBE. So was Gerry Marsden, of the 1960s pop group Gerry and the
Pacemakers, for services to charity. Gary Brooker, who formed the Procol
Harum group in 1967, and Errol Brown, lead singer with the 1970s band
Hot Chocolate, also became MBEs.
In the world of science, biochemistry Professor Edwin Southern of
Oxford University received a knighthood for services to the development
of DNA technology.