Order of the British Empire

From Srafopedia

Commander of the British Empire (CBE) is a British order of chivalry awarded by the Monarch, on the advice of the Government. In seniority it is second only to the rank of Knight or Dame, and is followed in descending order by OBE, MBE and BEM.

Philip Pullman was awarded the CBE for services to literature in the New Years Honours List for 2004. (London Gazette 31st December 2003, p8.)