Dame Judith Olivia Dench, actress, for her services to drama, is to be made a Companion of Honour in the Queen's birthday honours. So that we have some idea what this means, Anne Marie (see below) also found the following information at the Monarchy Today website:
COMPANIONS OF HONOUR This Order was instituted in 1917 by George V at the same time as the Order of the British Empire was founded, and it is sometimes regarded as a junior class of the Order of Merit. The Order consists of the Sovereign and 65 ordinary members; foreigners are admitted only as honorary members and certain additional members are appointed by statute in commemoration of special occasions. The Order is conferred on men and women for recognised services of national importance. Prime Ministers of Commonwealth countries may make nominations.
The Order's badge is a gold oval-shaped medallion with a representation of an oak tree; hanging from a branch is a shield of the Royal Arms, and on the right of it is a representation of a knight in armour mounted on a horse. The badge, surmounted by an imperial crown, has a blue-enamelled border bearing the motto of the Order, 'In action faithful and in honour clear'.
Thanks to Anne Marie Bourdon for spotting this information on the BBC News Website today, June 10, 2005. I also saw references to it in the Times and the Telegraph and there was not much information other than the confirmation that she will be given this award. Stephanie Cole, one of my favorites in Waiting for God, has been given the OBE