Queen's advisers tell her to drop 'empire' from honours

May 07, 2012 |

London

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The Queen's top advisers have reportedly recommended that the word 'empire' be dropped from the honours system awards as it's not only 'anachronistic' but also 'inappropriate' in modern-day Britain.

For 100 years, Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE), Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) and Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) - established in 1917 by King George V - have been awarded to recognise exceptional achievement and service to Britain.

Now, three Lord Lieutenants, who advise the Monarch on who should be awarded the honours, believe that the word 'empire' is 'anachronistic and inappropriate', the British media reported.

George Reid, Lord Lieutenant of Clackmannanshire, told a House of Commons public administration committee meeting that there was 'unease about the use of the word Empire in honours awards'.

"One local resident of ethnic origin, whose family came from a former colony, said he could never accept an honour 'named after a system his family had fought to abolish'," he was quoted as saying.

Echoeing similar sentiments, David Briggs, Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, said it was an 'unfortunate' title because it was 'associated with 'class', which we all want to get rid of'.

Sir James Cropper, Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria, also suggested there should instead be a 'title more meaningful for the present times' such as the Queen's Commonwealth Medal. A Buckingham Palace spokesman told the Daily Mail: "This is a matter for the Lord Lieutenants."

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