After putting her designs on an international stage with the Team GB kits that she created for the London 2012 Olympics and the Paralympics and taking home two gongs at the prestigious British Fashion Awards, many thought Stella McCartney's year couldn't get any better. But it seems that more congratulations are in order for the fashion designer, who has rounded off 2012 in fabulous style by being awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours List. She is one of 71 names to be given the prestigious honour by the Queen, many from the world of sport.
Given the immense success Britain enjoyed in the London 2012 games, it's no surprise that the list is largely dominated by athletes including Bradley Wiggins, Ben Ainsley, Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis and Victoria Pendleton, who is a self-confessed Stella McCartney fan. Olympic darlings Bradley and Ben are to be made knights, while Jessica will receive a CBE. Tennis star Andy Murray, who also took home a gold this summer, will be recognised in the new year. Sebastian Coe, who was the Chair of London Organising Committee of the Olympics Games and who is already a Lord, will receive Order of the Companions of Honour for his services. But other industries were still recognised. Singer Kate Bush is being awarded a CBE for her ongoing contribution to music, saying that she feels 'deeply honoured' by the accolade, while Ewan McGregor is to be decorated with an OBE.
Children's author Quentin Blake, meanwhile, who is known for his work on the Roald Dahl books, is set to receive a knighthood, and former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips will also be a CBE honouree. After her honour was announced, Arlene said: "I am very pleasantly surprised but mostly absolutely thrilled and delighted to receive such a wonderful honour." Outside of the world of entertainment, the wife of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, Cherie Blair, is also set to receive a CBE for her ongoing service to women's rights and issues and to charity in the UK and abroad. And professor Peter Higgs, who theorised the Higgs-Boson 'God particle' 48 years ago, will be awarded the Companion of Honour after his theorised particle was finally proved to exist in July this year in the Large Hadron Collider.