2017 has been quite the year for J. K Rowling, in a writing career that in twenty years shows no signs of slowing down. This year has seen the Fantastic Beasts franchise explode, so much so that we’re still waiting for Lethal White, the latest in the Cormoran Strike series from her Robert Galbraith pseudonym. Now Rowling has been honoured at Buckingham Palace for services to literature too in a rare accolade that is surely the cherry on the pie for the much-loved author.
This week, on December 12th at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace, J. K Rowling was given a Companion of Honour accolade and medal, a rare title that can only be held by sixty-five people at any given time. The honour recognises “services of national importance” and was awarded to Rowling for her services to literature and philanthropy (fans of the author will be aware she was removed from The Times rich list for giving away most of her money).
The Companion of Honour was established in 1917 at the same time as the Order of the British Empire by King George V and is given out to worthy recipients across the Commonwealth realms. It’s a rare accolade, originally the order was restricted to just fifty members, in 1943 that was enlarged to 65.
There are currently sixty-two companions, including Rowling, plus three honorary companions. Other well known names on the list include Stephen Hawking, Lord Tebbit, Sir David Attenborough, David Hockney, Dame Judi Dench, and Sir Roger Bannister, to name but a few, putting Rowling in pretty good company!
Hopefully now her wonderful and whirlwind year is over, Jo can get back to finishing Lethal White (PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!)
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