BLACKPINK honored with MBE awards by King Charles III in royal recognition

In a grand ceremony held at Room 1844 of Buckingham Palace on Wednesday (23 Nov), King Charles III bestowed the Most Excellent Order of The British Empire (MBE) honours upon all four members of the globally acclaimed K-pop group BLACKPINK.

The prestigious accolade was presented to Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa in recognition of their role as official ambassadors for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow.

The event, attended by esteemed guests and dignitaries, including the President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, and First Lady Kim Keon Hee, who is on a state visit to the United Kingdom, marked a momentous occasion for both the royal and entertainment spheres.

(Photo: todaywriter.fun)

Of particular significance was the acknowledgement of Rosé, who holds dual citizenship in New Zealand and South Korea. Given New Zealand’s association with the British Commonwealth, her MBE title is considered substantive rather than merely honorary.

The Royal Family’s official Twitter account, @RoyalFamily, broadcasted this historic moment to the world.

The preceding day, Raja Charles III hosted a formal dinner for the South Korean President and First Lady at Buckingham Palace on Monday (21 Nov), attended by all four BLACKPINK members.

During his speech at the dinner, Raja Charles III commended BLACKPINK for their efforts in bringing environmental sustainability to the forefront of global consciousness.

“I commend Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, and Rosé, collectively known as BLACKPINK, for their role in conveying the message of environmental conservation to the global community. I can only admire how they prioritize these crucial issues while being global superstars,” remarked the King, surprising the members with his words.

In a speech filled with appreciation, Raja Charles also highlighted the cultural strength of Korea and drew comparisons with the cultural richness of the United Kingdom.

“Korea has equated Danny Boyle with Bong Joon-ho, James Bond with Squid Game, and ‘Let It Be’ by The Beatles with ‘Dynamite’ by BTS,” he said. “Our cultures have an extraordinary ability to capture imaginations worldwide, turning so-called soft power into collective strength.”

As part of the warm reception in the UK, BLACKPINK’s music was even played by the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards military band during the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.

According to the official website of the Honours and Appointments Secretariat of the UK, the MBE is a prestigious accolade, ranking third in the order’s hierarchy.

The MBE is awarded in six ranks to military officers and civilians, serving as a recognition of outstanding achievement or service to the community in various fields such as arts, sciences, charitable activities, and public service. Recipients are proven to have made a real and significant impact, serving as exemplary figures for others to follow.