J. K. Rowling [photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images]
Ordinary people expect to be given presents on their birthdays. Monarchs, like hobbits, give presents on their birthdays. Twice a year, at New Year’s and her birthday, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II honors subjects with knighthood or membership in such societies as the Order of the Companions of Honour, the Order of the British Empire, and the Order of Merit. The
Queen’s Birthday Honours were released June 16, 2017. Harry Potter fans will be delighted to hear that author J. K. Rowling and actress Julie Walters, who played Molly Weasley, made the queen’s list of people to be acknowledged for their contributions to art and entertainment.
J. K. Rowling, “Queen of Twitter,” philanthropist, social critic, and best-selling author, will be able to add the initials CH after her name. She is now a Companion of Honour.
Julie Walters as Molly Weasley [image via Warner Bros.]
Julie Walters, who brilliantly brought Molly Weasley to life in the Harry Potter movies, will be knighted. This means she will be Dame Julie Walters. In addition to appearing in seven of the eight Harry Potter films, she was the voice of the Witch in Disney’s
Brave, played Rosie in
Mamma Mia!, and will be in
Mary Poppins Returns, due to be released December 25, 2018.
Olivia de Havilland, 1938 [image via Warner Bros.]
The 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours celebrates 1,109 scientists, authors, actors, athletes, judges, business executives, and philanthropists. 554 of those honored are women. Ten percent are of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) heritage. In addition to Julie Walters, actress Olivia de Havilland will also receive a damehood. Scottish comedian, musician, and actor Billy Connolly will receive a knighthood, making him Sir William. Other honorees include Professor Xiangqian Jiang, of the University of Huddersfield, with a damehood for her contributions to engineering and Professor Parveen Kumar, of the University of London, with a damehood for her contributions to medicine and medical education. Joining J. K. Rowling, CH, in the Order of the Companions of Honour are musician Sir Paul McCartney and climate change expert Lord Stern.
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Susan Macdonald
Susan Macdonald is the author of the children’s book “R is for Renaissance Faire”, as well as 26 short stories, mostly fantasy in “Alternative Truths”, “Swords and Sorceress #30”, Swords &Sorceries Vols. 1, 2, & 5, “Cat Tails” “Under Western Stars”, and “Knee-High Drummond and the Durango Kid”. Her articles have appeared on SCIFI.radio’s web site, in The Inquisitr, and in The Millington Star. She enjoys Renaissance Faires (see book above), science fiction conventions, Highland Games, and Native American pow-wows.
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