Youngest recipient of an MBE

The youngest Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) is Carmela Chillery-Watson (UK, b. 27 March 2014), who was aged 11 years 78 days old when her honour was announced on 13 June 2025. She was acknowledged for her "charitable fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy UK".

At the age of four, Carmela was diagnosed with a rare progressive muscle-wasting condition called LMNA congenital muscular dystrophy (L-CMD).

Since then, she has raised over £36,000 for charity by completing various fundraising projects. In 2020, she covered 10 km (6 mi) every day for a month dressed as the comic-book superhero Wonder Woman. She would walk 1 km (0.6 mi) and then use her wheelchair for the remaining distance.

More recently, in October 2025, Carmela raised £3,250 with her 24-hour hospital walk. She recorded around 6,500 steps by walking through the corridors of five different hospitals she has received care in. For this challenge, Carmela used her walking aid and was assisted by her dog, Tinker, and her mum, Lucy.

On 10 December 2025, the 11-year-old received her MBE medal from Prince William at Windsor Castle in Berkshire, UK. Carmela's MBE was included in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025.

She surpassed the previous mark of 14 years 50 days, set by Paralympic swimmer Eleanor "Ellie" Simmonds who was made an MBE in 2008.