LONDON — Helen Mirren was appointed a Companion of Honour in King Charles III's June 2026 birthday honors list. The award specifically recognizes her services to drama.

The Companion of Honour award recognizes individuals who have made a major contribution to the arts, science, medicine, or government. Membership in the Companion of Honour is limited to 65 living individuals at any time. Members of the Companion of Honour hold the title for life. King George V introduced the Companion of Honour award in 1917. Other current members of the Companion of Honour include David Attenborough, Margaret Atwood, and Gordon Brown.

King Charles III awards honors twice each year in January and June, with the June list corresponding to the monarch's official birthday. Nearly 1,200 individuals were included in the 2026 birthday honors list. Honors recipients are selected by civil servants' committees using nominations from the government and the public, and ceremonies are typically conducted by the king or a senior royal at Windsor Castle.

Mirren, who is 80 years old, performed with the National Youth Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company beginning in the 1960s. She appeared in the films The Long Good Friday, Excalibur, and The Madness of King George. Mirren also played Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison across seven seasons of the series Prime Suspect.

In 2007, Mirren received the Academy Award for best actress for her role in The Queen. The film depicts Queen Elizabeth II following the 1997 death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Mirren was appointed a dame in 2003.