Stella McCartney is being honored by Queen Elizabeth with an OBE—being made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire—for her work as a fashion designer, especially creating the British team’s Olympic uniforms. Other honorees include all the British gold medalists from the 2012 Olympics, actor Ewan McGregor and singer Kate Bush. The Queen's Honours are given out twice a year on New Year's and in June on the Queen's official birthday. The majority of recipients are selected by government committees after a nomination process by officials and the public.
The OBE is a step above the MBE, Member of the Order of the British Empire, which Stella's father first received in 1965 as a member of The Beatles. The next highest honor is CBE, Commander of the Order of the British Empire, then followed by knighthood.