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The New Year Honours list recognises the achievements and ‘selfless service’ of people from all walks of British life – from film and sports to politics and charity fundraising. It’s been a thing since at least 1890 and has made knights and dames out of people such as Ian McKellen, Paul McCartney, Julie Andrews, Anna Wintour, Jacob Rees-Mogg and PM Keir Starmer. Now, it’s rumoured that our very own mayor, Sadiq Khan could soon become a sir.
According to the Financial Times, Khan is expected to be awarded a knighthood for his political and public services. He first became a Labour politician in 2005 when he was voted MP for Tooting. He became Mayor of London after Boris Johnson in 2016 and was the first Muslim mayor of any European city.
Several other politicians are touted for knighthoods and damehoods, including Labour veteran Emily Thornberry, ex-Labour chief of staff Sue Gray and former Tory schools minister Nick Gibb. Beyond politics, David Beckham is the big name rumoured for the 2025 honours.
The list is still a work in progress, though. Sources told the FT that it has yet to get the final sign-off from the prime minister and King Charles. All of the names will be revealed around the end of December and the awards will be officially given out on January 1.
While we wait on the official list to be unveiled, take a read of our interview with Sadiq Khan from way back when he was running in the 2016 mayoral election. Since becoming mayor, he’s also revealed to Time Out his favourite London cycle routes, what gives him hope, which parts of London he would show Donald Trump and affordable housing in the capital.
Madame Tussauds has unveiled a waxwork of Sadiq Khan.
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