Rowling has been honoured for her services to literature and philanthropy
Author will hold rare title alongside her OBE which she was awarded in 2001
Rowling is also marking two decades since publication of her first Potter book
Harry Potter author JK Rowling brought a touch of magic to Buckingham Palace as she was made a Companion of Honour.
Rowling, who is also marking two decades since the publication of the first book in her best-selling series, has been honoured for services to literature and philanthropy.
The 52-year-old was handed the rare title by the Duke of Cambridge during an investiture this morning.
The decoration is in addition to her OBE, which she was awarded in 2001.
The author, who is worth nearly £500million, attended the ceremony with husband Neil Murray, a doctor who worked at St John’s Hospital in Livingstone, Scotland.
‘To be included in the distinguished and diversely talented company of the other Companions of Honour, especially as a female writer, is a particular privilege.’
Membership of the Order of the Companions of Honour, established in 1917 by George V, is a special award held by only 65 people at any one time, and recognises services of national importance.
She has previously told how her famous boy wizard creation simply ‘fell’ into her head years earlier while on a crowded train to London after a weekend flat-hunting with her then boyfriend in Manchester in 1990.
Sitting on the delayed train, she said she had ‘never been so excited about an idea before’.
JK Rowling ‘deeply honoured’ to be made Companion of Honour
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Rowling with her husband Neil Murray after she was made a Companion of Honour by the Duke of Cambridge
Harry Potter was born, and on her return home that night, Rowling immediately began writing what would become the first book of the series – Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone.
A prolific Twitter user with more than 10 million followers, she uses it to promote her charities, including Lumos, and also to speak out against Brexit and US President Donald Trump.
Others collecting honours today include composer and conductor Sir George Benjamin, for services to music.
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Rowling, who recieved her OBE in 2001, is also marking two decades since publication of her first Potter book
He began composing music at the age of seven and made his debut at the BBC Proms at 20, going on to be professor of composition at King’s College London from 2001.
Brian Noble, the former Bradford Bulls and Great Britain coach, picked up his MBE for services to rugby league and charity.
While Rosemary Johnson, a former Welsh National Opera violinist who was paralysed in a car accident, was awarded an MBE for services to music after using brain waves to perform again.
The Companion of Honour
The Companion of Honour is a special award held by only 65 people at any one time and recognises services of national importance.
It is granted to people who have made a major contribution to the arts, science, medicine, or government lasting over a long period of time.
Current members include Dame Maggie Smith, Lord Coe, Stephen Hawking, John Major and Desmond Tutu, while Winston Churchill was previously a holder of the title.
Membership of the Order of the Companions of Honour was established in 1917 by George V.
Non-British nationals can be honorary members of the Order, but will count as additional to the main 65.
There are currently 62 members holding The Companion of Honour, including J.K Rowling who officially recieves the honour today.
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