Branagh is a well-known Shakespearean actor and is equally famous on both stage and screen for his performances. When asked about his place on the list, he told the media “I feel very humble about it, I feel elated about it.”
Another to-be-honored star, Kate Winslet, won an Oscar in 2008 for her role in “The Reader,” a holocaust drama. She is also famous for having starred beside Leonardo DiCaprio in “Titanic,” the 1997 box office hit. Kate would be receiving a CBE, or Commander of the British Empire title.
Gary Barlow would be receiving the OBE or Order of the British Empire award. Barlow was communicated of the award just days after he conducted a pop concert outside the queen’s Buckingham Palace residence to mark the Jubilee celebrations of her 60-year long reign.
The dress designer of Kate, the wife of Prince William, would also be receiving the OBE award.
In total, the list of awardees released by the British Cabinet includes some 1,201 people honored by the queen. More than 70% of people were not known to the media, but received honors due to their contributions to their local communities. People who had consistently contributed to the society by doing work like foster care, charity or even sweeping the roads would be awarded.