King Charles III has officially withdrawn MBE and OBE titles from nine recipients.
These honours are among the United Kingdom’s most prestigious distinctions, awarded by the monarch to recognize notable achievements or outstanding service.
The OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) is typically presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to their region or country. The MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire), meanwhile, is granted to those who have shown long-term dedication to their community and created a meaningful impact.
As expected, the decision to remove such honours is not taken lightly. It is generally reserved for cases involving criminal convictions, professional misconduct, or individuals who have been disqualified by regulatory bodies.
This month, King Charles revoked the honours of nine recipients.
According to the UK’s official public record, The Gazette, former Scottish rugby player Stuart Hogg had his MBE rescinded after admitting to domestic abuse charges involving his then-estranged wife, Gillian.
Hogg had originally received the MBE in the 2024 New Year Honours for his contributions to rugby.
However, after pleading guilty to the domestic abuse offence, he was sentenced to a one-year community payback order in January 2025.
And now, his MBE has officially been ‘cancelled and annulled’.
The full notice in the Gazette reads: “The King has directed that the appointment of Stuart William Hogg to be a Member of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, dated 30 December 2023 shall be cancelled and annulled and that his name shall be erased from the Register of the said Order.”
Hogg was previously a Glasgow Warriors fullback and had amassed a slew of senior caps for his country, as well as being involved in three British and Irish Lions tours. He now plays with Montpellier.
Also on the list is Cumbrian owl sanctuary owner, Paul Allen Rose, who founded Barrow’s Owl Sanctuary.
According to News and Star, he was sentenced in May 2024, after pleading guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and one count of failing to ensure animal welfare, contrary to Section 4 and Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Full list of people who’ve had their MBEs and OBE’s stripped this month
– Ian Ashbold, received MBE in 2016, stripped due to a Criminal Conviction
– Lloyd Hamilton, received MBE in 2011, stripped due to Criminal conviction
– Angela Middleton, received MBE in 2019, stripped due to bringing the honours system into disrepute
– Nigel O’Connor, received MBE in 2015, stripped due to professional censure
– Tony Reilly, received OBE in 2011, stripped due to professional censure
– Paul Rose, received MBE in 2002, stripped due to Criminal conviction
– Anant Shah, received OBE in 2020, stripped due to bringing the honours system into disrepute
– Graham Trewhella, received MBE in 2010, stripped due to criminal conviction
– Stuart Hogg, received MBE in 2024, stripped due to criminal conviction
