From pioneering doctors and fearless campaigners to royal bodyguards, fashion innovators and tireless community volunteers, this year's King's Birthday Honours List is a celebration of service in all its forms.
More than 1,100 people across the UK have been recognised in King Charles III's Birthday Honours 2026, released to coincide with Trooping the Colour and the monarch's official birthday. Among them are scores of British Asians whose stories speak of perseverance, ambition and an unwavering commitment to giving back.
This year, 5.29 per cent of recipients are of Asian ethnicity, a reflection of the profound and growing contribution of Britain's South Asian communities to public life.
A lifetime dedicated to healing
At the pinnacle of this year's honours stands Professor Dame Parveen Kumar, one of Britain's most respected physicians and educators, who has been appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire, among the highest honours the Crown can bestow.
For generations of doctors, Kumar is already a household name. Her co-authored textbook, Kumar and Clark's Clinical Medicine, has guided medical students and practitioners around the world for decades. But her impact extends far beyond the classroom. As Professor Emerita of Medicine and Education at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, and former president of both the British Medical Association and the Royal Society of Medicine, she has spent a lifetime shaping healthcare and medical education.
Another healthcare leader receiving one of the highest honours is Sumeshni Tranka, the Chief Nursing Officer for Wales, who becomes a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to nursing.
Of Indian South African heritage, Tranka has devoted more than three decades to nursing, working across midwifery, mental health, community and general nursing. Since becoming Chief Nursing Officer in 2021, she has played a key role in shaping healthcare policy in Wales, after previously serving as Deputy Chief Nursing Officer for Patient Safety and Innovation at NHS England.
Healthcare is a recurring theme throughout this year's honours.
Dr Inderpal Singh, National Clinical Lead for Falls and Frailty, receives an OBE for services to osteoporosis care in Wales. Based in Cardiff, Singh has spent years improving outcomes for older people, championing better care for patients dealing with frailty, falls and bone health.
Yet some of the most inspiring stories come from outside hospitals and boardrooms.
Protecting the Crown
For years, Jagjivan Singh Khangura’s face was familiar to royal watchers, though his name remained unknown. Now, the man widely known as "the King's bodyguard", has finally stepped into the spotlight after receiving a Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO) for services to Royalty and Specialist Protection.
A former Metropolitan Police officer, Khangura spent years protecting King Charles III, first as Prince of Wales and later as monarch, operating with extraordinary discretion as part of the Royalty Protection Command.
His role took him across the globe, accompanying the Royal Family on major state visits and public engagements while maintaining near-total anonymity. Admired not only for his professionalism and leadership but also for his impeccable style, Khangura became something of a cult figure among royal enthusiasts.
His final assignment came during the royal visit to the United States and Bermuda earlier this year, after which he retired from policing.
Reflecting on his honour, Khangura said, "It has been an honour and a privilege representing my community in seva to His Majesty the King, and for a boy born in Ludhiana this has been a career that I would never have imagined."
Courage beyond the boardroom
While Khangura’s story is one of duty and quiet service, Leah Chowdhry's story is one of resilience, compassion and extraordinary determination.
The businesswoman and philanthropist has been awarded an MBE for services to charitable fundraising and philanthropy, honouring a lifetime dedicated to helping others. Her journey began at 16, when she travelled alone to Sri Lanka to volunteer at an orphanage.
Years later, following her father's diagnosis with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia, she undertook her greatest challenge yet: swimming the English Channel to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. Battling freezing waters, exhaustion and jellyfish stings, Chowdhry became the first British Asian woman to complete the gruelling 24-mile swim, raising more than £250,000 and earning the Channel Swimming Association's Swimmer of the Year award. Today, as COO of Savran, she continues to inspire others through coaching, resilience programmes and charitable initiatives.
Elsewhere, campaigners and innovators are also being recognised.
Yasmin Khan, Chief Executive of the Halo Project, receives a CBE for her tireless efforts to end domestic abuse and violence against women. Through her work, Khan has become one of Britain's most influential voices in tackling honour-based abuse and supporting survivors.
Technology entrepreneur Vishal Marria is also awarded a CBE for services to technology, economic crime prevention and the data and artificial intelligence sector, recognising his role in helping businesses combat financial crime through cutting-edge technology.
Fashioning a legacy
The world of fashion, too, has its moment of celebration.
Parvinder Kaur Matharu and Ravinder Singh Matharu, co-founders of luxury menswear label Clothsurgeon, each receive an MBE for services to men's fashion and tailoring.
Their recognition marks a historic milestone: they become the first Sikh husband and wife to receive honours simultaneously.
From their base in Slough, the couple have transformed British menswear by blending bespoke tailoring with streetwear and luxury fashion, creating a distinctive brand that has earned admiration from celebrities and style enthusiasts alike.
Their honour celebrates not just entrepreneurial success but also a shared creative vision that has redefined modern tailoring.
The honours list also celebrated the excellence of other leading industry figures such as Charlotte Tilbury, Sandra Choi, Clare Hornby and David Emanuel, co-designer of Princess Diana's wedding dress.
Service without spotlight
Then there are those whose contributions rarely make headlines.
Nirmal Singh, a community cook at Eastside Community Trust in Bristol, receives a British Empire Medal for services to the community.
Through food, care and the Sikh principle of sewa, selfless service, Singh has quietly transformed lives, offering practical support and companionship to countless people in her community.
Javid Soli Canteenwala has been awarded an OBE for outstanding services to philanthropy and charity, recognising more than three decades of dedicated service to charitable governance, community initiatives and public life, alongside a distinguished career in international finance.
The official citation highlights his longstanding commitment as Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE), as well as his role as Trustee and Chair of the Audit, Finance and Investment Committee of the Coutts Foundation.
Canteenwala has served as a trustee and honorary treasurer of ZTFE for more than two decades, playing a pivotal role in supporting one of the UK's oldest and most prominent Zoroastrian charitable organisations.
Cardiff resident Sudha Bhatt, known as Sudha Jethalal Dave in Mombasa, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to community cohesion in Wales. A prominent figure in Welsh Hindu and multi-faith communities for over three decades, she serves as Assistant Secretary of the Sanatan Dharma Mandal and Vice Chair of the Hindu Council of Wales.
After a 37-year Civil Service career, she became a Community Health Champion and continues to support elderly people, promote non-violence and campaign against violence towards women. "I am honoured and share this award with all our other volunteers," she said.
The same spirit of service is echoed in policing.
Ten serving and former Metropolitan Police officers and staff are recognised this year, among them Inspector Mohammed Uddin, who receives the King's Police Medal.
Reflecting on the honour, he said, "I am honoured to receive this prestigious King's Policing Medal. Throughout my 22 years in policing, I have strived every day to make a positive difference to the communities I serve."
Detective Chief Inspector Yasmin Lalani, also awarded the King's Police Medal, described herself as "deeply humbled", adding that public protection teams often carry out their work away from public view, yet their efforts are vital to keeping communities safe.
Together, these stories paint a portrait of modern Britain: diverse, ambitious and deeply committed to service.
Whether saving lives, protecting a king, inspiring children or feeding neighbours, the British Asians honoured this year remind us that greatness is not confined to any one profession or path.
It is found in compassion, perseverance and the determination to make a difference. And in 2026, the nation has paused to say thank you.
Here are the British Asians who have been honoured-
Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
Professor Dame Parveen June KUMAR DBE
Professor Emerita of Medicine and Education, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London. For services to Global Medical Education and Health
Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Dr Hayaatun SILLEM CBE
Lately Chief Executive Officer, Royal Academy of Engineering. For services to Engineering
Sumeshni TRANKA
Chief Nursing Officer, Welsh Government. For services to Nursing
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire(CBE)
Dr Damitha ADIKAARI
Director, Science and Innovation for Climate and Energy, Department of Energy Security and Net Zero. For services to Research and Innovation to Tackle Climate Change
Yasmin Akhtar KHAN
Chief Executive Officer, Halo Project. For services to Ending Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women
Vishal Kumar MARRIA
For services to Technology, Economic Crime Prevention and to the Data and AI Sector
Kunal PATEL
Lately Deputy Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister. For Public Service
Professor Monder RAM OBE DL
Founder and Director, Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship. For services to Ethnic Minority Business and Entrepreneurship
Sukriti Prova SEN
Director of Children and Education Services, Coventry City Council. For services to Children Social Care
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Asif Jahangir BHATTI
Headteacher, Town Farm Primary School and Nursery, Staines, Surrey. For services to Education
Javid Soli CANTEENWALA
Trustee and Honorary Treasurer, The Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe and Trustee and Chair of the Audit, Finance and Investment Committee, The Coutts Foundation. For services to Philanthropy and Charity
Dr Urshla DEVALIA
President, British Society of Paediatric Dentistry. For services to Children’s Oral Health
Professor Mohamed Wasim HANIF
Clinical Advisor, Diabetes UK and Professor of Diabetes and Endocrinology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. For services to Diabetes and to Health Inequalities
Dr Geeta KUMAR
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board North Wales. For services to Women’s Health
Rohan MALIK
United Kingdom and Ireland Government and Public Sector Managing Partner, EY. For services to Business and Professional Services
Dr Rashmi MANTRI
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, British Youth International College. For services to Mathematics Education
Ifty NASIR
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Vestd. For services to Share Schemes and the Energy Sector
Ashfaq Ahmed RAHMAN
Chief Executive Officer, Nova Education Trust, Nottingham. For services to Education
Mukesh SHARMA MBE DL
Deputy Chair and Trustee, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Chair, Northern Ireland Committee, National Lottery Heritage Fund. For services to Heritage
Nikita SHARMA
Head of Targeted Outreach and Research, Judicial Appointments Commission. For services to Improving Judicial Diversity
Dr Inderpal SINGH
National Clinical Lead, Falls and Frailty. For services to Osteoporosis Care in Wales
Muhammed Fazan TAHIR
Managing Director, Tahir Group. For services to Young People and to Social Mobility
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Faria ALI
Senior Associate Solicitor, Herbert Smith Freehills. For Charitable and Voluntary
Tahira ALI
Foster Carer, Birmingham Children’s Trust’s Fostering Agency. For services to Foster Care
Nafiza Aktar ANWAR
Co-Founder and Director, Association of South Asian Midwives. For services to Charity and to Healthcare
Satbinder BAINS
Foster Carer, City of Wolverhampton Council. For services to Foster Care
Hiren BHIMJIYANI
Programme Director, Global Supply Chain Intelligence Programme, Department for Business and Trade. For services to Trade, to Data-Driven Supply Chain Intelligence and to Machine Learning Innovation
Aditya CHAKRABORTTY
Senior Economics Commentator, The Guardian. For services to Public Understanding of the Economy and Wider Social Issues
Dr Azhar Mahmood CHAUDHRY
General Practitioner, Thistlemoor Medical Centre, Peterborough. For services to the community in Peterborough
Leah Rani CHOWDHRY
Philanthropist. For services to Charitable Fundraising
Dr Arun Kumar GUPTA
Consultant in Anaesthesia and NeuroCritical Care, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Director, Cambridge Digital Health and Surgical Training Centre and Affiliated Associate Professor, University of Cambridge. For services to Medical Education
Professor Sunil GUPTA
Photographer, Activist and Writer. For services to Art and to the LGBTQ+ Communities
Imran HAFEEZ
Head, National Literacy Trust Bradford Hub. For services to Literacy Development and Social Inclusion in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
Sarah HASSAN
For services to Public Libraries and Reading
Sundas KHALID
Co-Founder and Director, Association of South Asian Midwives. For services to Charity and Healthcare
Nadia Zunobia KHAN
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Women in CTRL. For services to Women in the Music Industry
Sakilbabu Vali KOLA
Founder and Director, Bri-Tek Technologies LTD. For services to Export Growth
Sanjiv MAHAJAN
Supporting Editor, 2025 United Nations System of National Accounts. For services to Economic Statistics
Anjum Nahid MALIK
Writer and Lecturer. For services to British South Asian Arts
Parvinder Kaur MATHARU
Co-Founder, clothsurgeon. For services to Men’s Fashion and Tailoring
Ravinder Singh MATHARU
Co-Founder and Creative Director, clothsurgeon. For services to Men’s Fashion and Tailoring
Benash NAZMEEN
Co-Founder and Director, Association of South Asian Midwives. For services to Charity and to Healthcare
Dakshesh Harivadan PARIKH
Lately Consultant Paediatric Surgeon, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. For services to Paediatric Surgery
Dr Kavitha PASUNURU
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Divisional Director, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. For services to Neurodiversity Services in Gwent
Beena PURI-DAYALJI
Digital Equity Senior Principal, Greater Manchester Combined Authority. For services to Digital Inclusion
Professor Lakshminarayan Rao RANGANATH
Trustee and Co-Founder, Alkaptonuria Society. For services to People with Alkaptonuria
Dr Nadeem Hasan RIZVI
Managing Director, Laser Micromachining. For services to Industrial Laser Applications in Manufacturing
Kamal Jit SHARMA
Managing Director, Hindu Cultural Society of Bradford. For services to the community in Bradford, West Yorkshire
Neerasha SINGH
Headteacher, Northfleet Nursery School, Kent. For services to Early Years Education
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
Sharifa BEGUM
Employment Adviser, Department for Work and Pensions. For services to Women
Sudha BHATT
For services to Community Cohesion in Wales
Kabir KAUL
Conservationist, Urban Nature Campaigner and Writer and lately Youth Council Member, RSPB. For services to Nature
Farida LAEEQ
Care Coordinator, Brownlow Health. For services to Supporting Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Hitesh MEHTA
Special Constable, West Midlands Police and Charity Trustee, Shree Krishna Temple. For services to Policing, to Charity and to Volunteering in Coventry, West Midlands
Dharmesh MISTRY
Police Constable, West Yorkshire Police. For services to Policing and to the community in Bradford and Leeds
Alpa RAJA
Member, Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee. For services to Veterans’ Welfare
Pundrique Radheyshyam SHARMA
Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. For services to Children and Young People
Nirmal SINGH
Community Cook, Eastside Community Trust, Bristol. For services to the community in Bristol
Irfan Aslam SYED
Councillor and Chair, Salford Forum for Refugees. For services to Refugee Resettlement
Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG)
Sarbjit Singh UPPAL
Director, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. For services to National Security
Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO)
Jagjivan Singh KHANGURA
Inspector, Metropolitan Police Service. For services to Royalty and Specialist Protection
King’s Police Medal- England and Wales
Yasmin LALANI
Detective Chief Inspector, Metropolitan Police Service
Mohammed Munim UDDIN
Sergeant, Metropolitan Police Service
