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
+5
View gallery
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.
+5
View gallery
+5
View gallery
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.
News
“LeBron James Can’t Contain His Laughter at Friend’s Hilarious NBAxNFL Stat Reference for Sanaa Lathan!”
LeBron James hilariously loses it over his friend’s NBAxNFL statistical reference (image credit: IMAGN) LeBron James’ friend Cuffs the Legend is never shy to share his thoughts about anything on social media. One of his recent posts even received a…
Nick Robertson decided to stick around with the Toronto Maple Leafs after a topsy-turvy off-season, but when asked about it, he refused to go into detail.
Nick Robertson Avoids Responding to Important Media Question One of the major talking points this summer was Maple Leafs’ forward and pending RFA, Nick Robertson, requesting a trade out of the organization. After receiving his qualifying offer, Robertson was very…
Breaking: Mitch Marner Reveals Key Update on Contract Negotiations with the Maple Leafs
Photo credit: USA Today Sports In a snippet from an upcoming interview with Mitch Marner, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman finally received a response about his negotiations with the Leafs. Marner opened his media availability on Wednesday at training camp with a statement about…
“Morgan Rielly Steals the Spotlight with the Quote of the Day on the Opening Day of Leafs Training Camp!”
Photo credit: USA Today Sports On the first day of Maple Leafs training camp, Morgan Rielly may have dropped the quote of the day when discussing the team’s goal for the season. The Toronto Maple Leafs come into training camp with a chip…
“Breaking: The Next Two NHL Expansion Teams Have Been Identified—Do You Know Who They Are?”
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire – USA Today Sports The NHL appears to be nearing a point where two new expansion teams could be announced, and the two cities may have already been identified. The NHL has been growing exponentially over…
Alex Nylander, younger brother of William Nylander, has admitted to making some pretty significant sacrifices to join the Maple Leafs this summer.
Alex Nylander Admits to Making Tremendous Sacrifice in Order to Join Maple Leafs Earlier this off-season, Alex Nylander surprised many when he signed an AHL contract with the Maple Leafs organization, with a strong likelihood that he’ll begin his tenure in Toronto…
End of content
No more pages to load