TheNew Year Honours is a part of theBritish honours system, with New Year's Day, 1 January, being marked by naming new members oforders of chivalry and recipients of other official honours. A number of otherCommonwealth realms also mark this day in this way.[citation needed]
The awards are presented by or in the name of the reigning monarch, currentlyKing Charles III or his vice-regal representative. British honours are published in supplements to theLondon Gazette.
Honours have been awarded at New Year since at least 1890, in which year a list ofQueen Victoria's awards was published by theLondon Gazette on 2 January.[1] There was no honours list at New Year 1902, as a list had been published on the newKing's birthday the previous November,[2] but in January 1903 a list was again published, though including only Indian orders until 1909 (while the other orders were announced on the King's birthday in November). There were also no honours issued in 1940, due to the outbreak of theSecond World War in September 1939.[3]
Australia discontinued its New Year Honours in 1989, and now announces its honours onAustralia Day, 26 January, and theKing's Official Birthday holiday, in early June.