Yahoo News The Queen's Birthday Honours: What are they and who's on the list?
The Queen's Birthday Honours list was released on Friday night, recognising more than 1,000 people for commitment to public service.
Those honoured this year include the policeman killed after confronting the Westminster attacker outside Parliament and the heroic passer-by stabbed trying to protect MP Jo Cox.
Billy Connolly was given a knighthood and actress Julie Walters was made a dame.
Oscar-winner Olivia de Havilland, who turns 101 next month, is the oldest woman to become a dame in this centenary year of the modern-day honours system.
What is the Queen's Birthday Honours list?
Twice a year, the Queen gives out honours: once on New Year's Day and then on her official birthday (see below).
The awards recognise people who have made achievements in public life or committed themselves to serving and helping Britain.
In a break with tradition, the Queen's Civilian Gallantry List has been released at the same time as the monarch's birthday honours.
The Gallantry List recognises people who have attempted to or saved the life of a British citizen who isn’t a family member or close friend.
What is the history of the Queen's Birthday Honours List?
The tradition dates back to 1860 when Queen Victoria gave out the first Birthday Honours. In 1890 she added New Year Honours too.
The monarch has two birthdays in the UK – their actual one and and an official one – because of the weather. It is a tradition that was started by George II in 1748.
George II was born in November, and felt the weather would be too cold at that time of year for his annual birthday parade.
So instead, he combined his birthday celebration with an annual spring military parade known as Trooping the Colour, in which regiments displayed their flags or "colours" so soldiers would be familiar with them.
It is a tradition that has continued to this day. All British sovereigns are given the option of having an "official" birthday, and because the Queen's real birthday is on April 21, she has stuck with the tradition of celebrating in June.
What awards are given out?
Companion of Honour – major contribution to the arts, science, medicine, or government
Knight/Dame – major contribution in any activity, usually at national level
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) – prominent but lesser role at national level, or a leading role at regional level
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) – major role in any activity
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) – outstanding achievement or service to the community
British Empire Medal (BEM) – ‘hands-on’ service to the local community
Overseas Territories Police and Fire Service Medals
Royal Victorian Order (RVO) – usually awarded to people who have helped the Queen personally
The George Cross – first level civilian medal for bravery
The George Medal – second level civilian medal for bravery
The Queen’s Gallantry Medal – third level civilian medal for bravery
The Queen’s Commendation for Bravery and The Queen’s Commendation for Bravery in the Air – awarded for risk to life
What are the demographics of this year's winners?
The honours committee described the list as the most diverse yet.
Half of those honoured this year are women, while 10 per cent are from black and minority ethnic backgrounds.
There is a total of 1,109 people on the Queen's Birthday Honours list, of whom 438 are awarded an MBE, 221 an OBE and 303 a BEM.
Who are some of the most famous recipients this year?
Those also honoured from the world of entertainment include chart-topper Ed Sheeran and comedian David Walliams.
Twenty years after he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, Sir Paul McCartney is being upgraded with a Companion of Honor award for services to music, alongside J.K. Rowling for her services to literature and philanthropy, in the queen's Birthday Honors list.
Britain's last surviving Dambuster, who has been awarded an MBE, said he is very grateful to the thousands of people who signed a petition calling for his wartime service to be recognised.
George "Johnny" Johnson, 95, was part of Royal Air Force 617 Squadron, which conducted night of raids on German dams in 1943 in an effort to disable Hitler's industrial heartland.
Police Constable Keith Palmer, who was stabbed to death by attacker Khalid Masood in March on the forecourt of the Palace of Westminster, is posthumously awarded the George Medal for confronting an armed terrorist to protect others and Parliament.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said she and her colleagues were "immensely proud" of Pc Palmer's bravery.
Paying tribute, she said: "Keith acted that day with no thought for his own safety, intent simply on doing his job and protecting members of the public and Parliament. He paid the ultimate price for his selfless actions."
Briton Dominic Troulan, who was working as a security consultant in Kenya when terrorists attacked a shopping mall in 2013, is awarded the George Cross for saving lives during the massacre.
Bernard Kenny, who was stabbed in the abdomen as he tried to stop neo-Nazi Thomas Mair attacking Mrs Cox outside her constituency surgery in Yorkshire, receives the George Medal one year on from the murder.
Two West Yorkshire Police officers, Pc Craig Nicholls and Pc Jonathan Wright, who arrested Mair are awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal.
The late politician's senior caseworker, Sandra Major, who witnessed the killing, receives an MBE for parliamentary services and service to the community in Batley and Spen.
