Makeup mogul Charlotte Tilbury has been awarded a CBE in the King Charles Birthday Honours 2026, the headline fashion and beauty name on a list that also recognized Jimmy Choo creative director Sandra Choi and Me+Em founder Clare Hornby with OBEs. The honours were published on June 13, 2026, the day of the Trooping the Colour ceremony at Horse Guards Parade. All three women were cited for services to British fashion and beauty.
Quick answer: In the 2026 Birthday Honours, Charlotte Tilbury received a CBE, while Sandra Choi (Jimmy Choo) and Clare Hornby (Me+Em) each received an OBE. Designer David Emanuel and actor Helen Mirren also appear on the 2026 Birthday Honours list.
Charlotte Tilbury Upgraded From MBE to CBE
Tilbury’s CBE is a clear upgrade. She received an MBE in 2018, and now joins the rank of Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to the beauty and cosmetics industry. The recognition tracks the scale of the company she built.
Charlotte Tilbury Beauty launched in 2013 and is now the UK’s number one prestige makeup brand. A 2020 partnership with Spanish group Puig valued the business at more than £1 billion. The brand operates across 57 markets, more than 5,500 distribution points, employs over 3,000 people, and counts 20 million-plus social followers.
The wider numbers matter too. The UK beauty sector has grown from roughly £17 billion in 2013 to more than £31 billion today, outperforming sports, publishing, and recreation, per the brand’s official press release.
“As an entrepreneur who now leads the biggest British-born beauty empire in the world, I want to empower young people to understand that anything is possible if you think limitlessly and have the confidence to believe in yourself.” — Charlotte Tilbury CBE
The CBE caps a busy June for the beauty business, which also saw Chappell Roan’s MAC Viva Glam ambassadorship and a wave of British celebrity beauty moments like Dua Lipa’s custom Schiaparelli couture in London.
Sandra Choi Honored After Thirty Years at Jimmy Choo
Sandra Choi received an OBE for services to fashion. She has served as creative director of Jimmy Choo since the brand’s inception more than three decades ago, making her one of the longest-serving creative leaders in luxury footwear.
The recognition arrives on solid commercial footing. Jimmy Choo parent Capri Holdings posted a 5.3% gain for the brand in its early-2026 fourth quarter, detailed in our coverage of Jimmy Choo’s recent financial performance. Choi sits within a rich British footwear tradition that also includes the Manolo Blahnik x Emilia Wickstead capsule collection.
“Receiving an OBE is something I never imagined when I began my career. It feels like recognition not just for my own work, but for everyone who has poured their creativity and passion into Jimmy Choo over three decades.” — Sandra Choi OBE
Clare Hornby’s Me+Em Earns Second Royal Nod in 2026
Clare Hornby, founder and CEO of Me+Em, received an OBE for the British direct-to-consumer label she built into an elevated everyday staple. It is her second royal recognition this year.
Me+Em already secured a royal warrant from Queen Camilla earlier in 2026. The brand’s profile has been lifted further by the Princess of Wales, a noted customer whose wardrobe choices, including Kate Middleton in Roland Mouret, regularly spotlight British labels.
“I am incredibly humbled and grateful to be honored. I feel very fortunate to be able to represent British fashion to a global audience.” — Clare Hornby OBE
Other Fashion and Style Figures on the 2026 Honours List
Designer David Emanuel, who co-designed Princess Diana’s iconic 1981 wedding dress alongside his then-wife Elizabeth, was recognized for services to fashion. Actor Helen Mirren was elevated from Dame Commander to Companion of Honour, joining a select group of 65 members that includes Paul Smith, J.K. Rowling, Elton John, and Paul McCartney.
The timing was symbolic. The list landed on June 13, the same day the Princess of Wales appeared in Catherine Walker for Trooping the Colour, as covered in our report on the Princess of Wales wore Catherine Walker at Trooping the Colour 2026.
British Fashion’s Track Record of Royal Recognition
King Charles has consistently used the honours system to spotlight fashion and beauty leaders. In the 2023 Birthday Honours, both Anna Wintour and designer Roksanda Ilincic were recognized. The 2026 list continues that pattern and underscores the UK’s standing as a global fashion and beauty powerhouse.
The recognition lands alongside a strong stretch for the sector. June 2026 also brought the BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund 2026, leadership news such as Alexander McQueen’s new CEO appointment, and a fresh London footprint for global houses like Chanel’s London Bond Street launch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who from fashion received honours in the King Charles Birthday Honours 2026?
Charlotte Tilbury received a CBE, while Sandra Choi of Jimmy Choo and Clare Hornby of Me+Em each received an OBE. David Emanuel was also honored for services to fashion.
Why was Charlotte Tilbury given a CBE?
She was recognized for services to the beauty and cosmetics industry. Her brand is the UK’s number one prestige makeup label and was valued at over £1 billion in 2020.
What is the difference between a CBE and an OBE?
Both are ranks in the Order of the British Empire. A CBE (Commander) ranks above an OBE (Officer), making Tilbury’s award the senior honour among the three.
For more on royal style and the British fashion industry, explore our coverage of the Princess of Wales at Trooping the Colour 2026 and the latest UK accolades in the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund 2026. Subscribe to the FloraDress newsletter for breaking fashion news delivered first.
