King's Birthday Reception 2026

This annual event celebrates the official birthday of His Majesty The King and is the largest in the Government House calendar.  The guest list includes local VIPs, island community representatives, island services, members of the Royal Court and charities, youth organisations and schools, and people who His Excellency and Lady Cripwell have met throughout the year at various events they have attended. 

It is an opportunity for His Excellency to present and congratulate those locals who have been selected to receive a national honour in the King's Birthday Honours List, which is announced the evening before. 

This year four islanders were honoured.  The full list of those who received honours can be seen below and they were all invited to attend the reception, each with a group of their family and closest friends.  Their reason for inviting them having been kept a secret since they were personally informed a number of weeks ago!

The reception started with a fanfare, the national anthem and a toast to the King.  The Lieutenant-Governor gave a short speech about each of the recipients and raised a toast to recognise their service. 

Also being congratulated was the Guernsey Conservation Volunteers who received Guernsey’s first King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) in November last year.

The four islanders named in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List are:

• Jurat Ian BROWN, who is made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to Charity and Cycling in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
• Mr Ben GREGG, who is awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to St Martin’s Parish.
• Mrs Johanna NORMAN, who is awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to Swimming in Guernsey.
• Mr Colin PRIGENT, who is awarded the Royal Victorian Medal (Silver) in recognition of his services as Deputy Head Gardener at Government House.