1999 New Year Honours

The awards are presented to the recipient in one of several investiture ceremonies at Buckingham Palace throughout the year by the Sovereign or her designated representative.

The Prince of Wales (now Charles III) and The Princess Royal deputised for The Queen.

[10] Depending on their roles, those people selected by committee are submitted either to the prime minister, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, or Secretary of State for Defence for their approval before being sent to the Sovereign for final approval.

It is the junior of the British orders of chivalry, and the largest, with over 100,000 living members worldwide.

The highest two ranks of the order, the Knight/Dame Grand Cross and Knight/Dame Commander, admit an individual into knighthood or damehood allowing the recipient to use the title Sir or Dame.

The insignia of the Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
The insignia of a Knights Bachelor
Representation of the star of the Order of the Bath (civil division).
Representation of the star of a Knight or Dame Grand Cross
Breast Star of the Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
Grand Cross 's star of the Order of the British Empire
The Royal Red Cross for exceptional services in military nursing