The Order of the British Empire was founded on June 4, 1917 by the Queen’s grandfather, George V, as a general order for civilians and their efforts during the First World War. But nowadays, these awards are given out in various activities ranging from artistic creations to charitable works. Since 1923, it has been taken over by thirty-five Czechs, fourteen of which were granted by Queen Elizabeth II herself.

The majority of Czechoslovakians thus fell into the period before accession to the throne, they were usually Czechoslovak soldiers who participated in the war against Nazi Germany. With absolute exceptions, the Czechs were on the side of “royal” interests during communist rule between 1948 and 1989.

Domestic winners awarded by Elizabeth II include, for example, New Zealand spooky with Czech roots Mirek Smíšek (order awarded 1990), 311th Czechoslovak Air Bomber Unit officer Alois Konopicky (1993), war veteran of World War II, photographer and philanthropist Charles G. Strasser (2000) or entrepreneur Milan Vyhnálek ​​(1978), who founded the largest cheese company in the southern hemisphere – Lactos in Tasmania, Australia.

As one of the last Czechs, Petr Torák, a Czech and current director of Compas Charity, was able to receive the award from the Queen of England in 2015, which was Elizabeth II. awarded for his work for the Roma community in the city of Peterborough.

In his youth, Torák studied at the law academy in Liberec, but several alleged racially motivated attacks discouraged him from living in the Czech Republic, which led to him moving to England in 1999. After obtaining a work permit in England, he began working as a volunteer at a law firm, tried to work in fast food and in the security service, and then decided to become a police officer, where he reached the rank of officer.

In 2013, he founded the Gypsy Rome Tourist Police Association, which supports Rome and Tourist police officers. Today, it has more than 140 members and branches in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, England and Croatia.

Before his death, the Queen honored three Czech women

During the last 70 years of Elizabeth II’s reign. only three Czech women were awarded the award. The first winner was the architect Eva Jiřičná in 1993, who received the title of Commander class for her contributions to the field of design. “At the time, it was a great surprise and honor for me. The Queen gave me orders personally at Buckingham Palace with her own smile and charm. During the presentation, she asked me what exactly I was doing. I replied that she probably wouldn’t like it.” ,” he shared with humor the architect Aktuálně.cz.

Jiřičná has lived and worked in London for over 50 years. However, it often operates in the Czech Republic as well. In 1984, he founded his own studio in England – Eva Jiricna Architects Limited, which is very well known for its abundant use of glass, steel and stone. Jiřičná also promotes traditional materials in the Prague studio AI – DESIGN, which he co-founded with Petr Vágner in 1999. Among his most famous works are the Air Canada bus terminal in London, the Orangery in the Royal Gardens at Prague Castle, the functionalist glass staircase of Cafe Braun or Congress Center and University Tomáš Bata University in Zlín.

The former head of the British Chamber of Commerce in the Czech Republic, Marcela ernochová, was one of a trio of important women to receive the Queen’s prestigious award. He received the award for his contribution to British business interests in April this year, however, according to him, the official handover will not take place until November in Prague at the British Embassy. “It surprised me and I am very happy because it expresses the appreciation not only of my work, but of the entire chamber team. This means that the promotion of moral and ethical principles in business and the values ​​we have described as British makes sense,” he explained to Aktuálně.cz.

ernochová currently coordinates foreign projects of the non-profit organization Arnika, which aims to connect people who are striving for a better environment. He took an interest in nature conservation at university, where he worked at the Czech Otter Foundation, where he then held the position of director until 2007.

In about two months time, the last recipient of the Order of the British Empire from the Czech Republic, Alena Krajtlová, a member of the British Military Advisory and Training Team, should receive the award. She was awarded this honor for her contribution to the UK’s international training program in the field of defense and security.

In 105 years, our country has won the three highest awards

The Order of the British Empire is divided into five classes: Grand Cross, Knight Commander, Commander, Officer and Member. Holders of the two highest honors have the option of using the title Sir or Dame. However, this right only applies to citizens of the United Kingdom and countries where the head of state is a monarch of England.

Only three Czech winners have won the title in 105 years – in 1923, the then King of England, George V, presented the award to the then Minister of Foreign Affairs and then President of Czechoslovakia Edvard Beneš, 73 years later, Queen Elizabeth II bestowed the award. violinist, composer and conductor Rafael Kubelík, and in the same year artistic director and chief conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in Liverpool and conductor of the Czech Philharmonic, Libor Pešek, received this honor.

Until now, the recipients of the awards were announced twice a year, with the arrival of the new year and on Queen Elizabeth II’s official birthday. Next year’s first winner will be announced by his son and current King Karel III.

In the following slide, the editorial office of Aktuálně.cz presents several winners.