The recent election of UK prime minister marks a somewhat historic milestone, as Keir Starmer becomes first knight to serve as UK prime minister – in over 60 years. The last premier to enter office with a knighthood was Sir Alec Douglas-Home, who assumed the role in 1963. Since then, all subsequent prime ministers have been granted knighthoods after their terms in office.
Starmer officially became Prime Minister on July 5, 2024. His knighthood, awarded in the 2014 New Year Honours, was in recognition of his distinguished services to law and criminal justice. As a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB), Starmer is entitled to wear the Order’s badge and star on formal occasions. However, despite this honor, Starmer has opted not to wear the insignia publicly.
The Order of the Bath was founded by George I in 1725 and is the fourth most senior British order of merit, ranking after the Orders of the Garter, the Thistle, and St. Patrick (currently dormant). Established to honor the achievements of senior military officials and civil servants, the Order’s name originates from medieval times, when soldiers undergoing a ritualized washing ceremony symbolized spiritual purification before receiving their knighthood.
Throughout the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, all prime ministers from Sir Winston Churchill up until Sir Tony Blair were bestowed with knighthoods in the Order of the Garter.
On May 31, 2024, King Carl XVI Gustaf awarded royal orders of knighthood to 13 deserving Swedes in a ceremony held at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. Among the honorees were two Nobel laureates and members of the iconic Swedish music group ABBA, each recognized for their exceptional achievements.
This momentous event marked the first time in nearly 50 years that royal orders of knighthood were awarded to Swedish citizens outside the Royal Family. The recipients were nominated by the public, with the Swedish government subsequently endorsing these nominations. His Majesty the King, who serves as the Grand Master of the royal orders, made the formal decision regarding the recipients.
The awards ceremony was a historic occasion, as Sweden had ceased awarding these orders to its own citizens in the 1970s, deeming the practice outdated—though foreign nationals continued to receive them. In 2019, a parliamentary committee was tasked with exploring how the Swedish orders, including the Order of the Sword and the Order of Vasa, could be reintroduced into the Swedish honors system. The committee’s findings were presented in September 2021, and a bill was submitted to the Swedish Parliament on April 19, 2022. The bill passed by a large majority on June 19, 2022.
On December 20, 2022, the Swedish government issued a new ordinance that repealed the 1974 regulation, reopening the royal orders to Swedish citizens and reactivating the Order of the Sword, Order of the Polar Star, and Order of Vasa, effective February 1, 2023. Shortly thereafter, new statutes for the Royal Orders of Knighthood were established during an extraordinary Chapter, and a new Council of the Royal Orders of Knighthood was formed.
On May 31, 2024, the royal orders were once again conferred upon Swedish citizens in recognition of their exceptional contributions. Below is the full list of the distinguished recipients:
Order of the Sword
Lieutenant General Dennis Gyllensporre Commander with the Grand Cross For extraordinary leadership in warlike conditions in Mali.
Colonel of the 1st Grade Ulf Henricsson Commander 1st Class For exemplary leadership in warlike conditions in former Yugoslavia.
Order of the Polar Star
Professor Svante Pääbo Commander with the Grand Cross For outstanding research contributions.
Professor Anne L’Huillier Wahlström Commander with the Grand Cross For outstanding research contributions.
Third Secretary of the Embassy Catarina Wingren Knight For crucial engagement in Sweden’s international peace missions in Mali.
Order of Vasa
Director Antonia Ax:son Johnson Commander with the Grand Cross For extraordinary contributions to business and other sectors of society.
Artist Benny Andersson Commander 1st Class For outstanding contributions to Swedish and international music.
Artist Agnetha Fältskog Commander 1st Class For outstanding contributions to Swedish and international music.
Artist Anni-Frid Reuss Commander 1st Class For outstanding contributions to Swedish and international music.
Artist Björn Ulvaeus Commander 1st Class For outstanding contributions to Swedish and international music.
Actress Eva Rydberg Commander For long and successful engagement in performing arts.
Social Worker Bettan Byvald Knight 1st Class For many years of significant social work.
Business Area Manager Thomas Sjöström Knight For great personal courage during the Swedish evacuation from Kabul.
