Bond actress Naomie Harris leads the charge as women pick up half the New Year Honours for only the THIRD time in history
The 40 year-old – who starred as Moneypenny in 007 blockbusters Skyfall and Spectre – was awarded an OBE for services to drama
STUNNING Bond actress Naomie Harris led the charge on Friday night as women picked up half the New Year Honours for only the THIRD time in history.
The 40 year-old – who starred as Moneypenny in 007 blockbusters Skyfall and Spectre – was awarded an OBE for services to drama.
It came as Angela Rippon, BBC star turned Dementia ambassador, and Mumsnet founder, Justine Roberts, picked up CBEs.
In fashion, Victoria Beckham was awarded an OBE for services to the industry, 13 years after a gong for her hubbie David, while Anya Hindmarch picked up a CBE and American Vogue editor Anna Wintour a prestigious DBE - one of 76 awards for Brits overseas.
In all, there were 603 successful women candidates in the New Year Honours list – representing just over 50 per cent.
More women were recognised than men for the first time in the list which was announced for 2014 at the end of 2013. In 2004 only 34 per cent of awards went to women, and in 1974 it was just 17 per cent.
Among others receiving Honours this time round, Keeping Up Appearances actress Patricia Routledge, 87, was made a Dame for services to theatre and charity.
Award winning actress Helen McCrory – who played Cherie Blair in the ‘Queen’ - got an OBE. And Oscar-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan was given an OBE for services to drama production.
She said: “I feel honoured and humbled to receive such an amazing ‘award’ for a job that I simply love doing – storytelling through clothes.”
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird was made a Dame for services to women and equality. She said the honour gave “the cause of equality a boost”.
The Former solicitor general in Gordon Brown’s Labour Government said: “This was very delightful and surprising news.
“I am particularly pleased that the award specifically refers to services to the cause of women and equality, recognising that gender equality is desirable for the country and for everyone in it.
“There have been great advances but there is still more to do.”