New appointments to the Order of Merit

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE PRESS SECRETARY TO THE QUEEN

The Queen is pleased to appoint Lord May of Oxford and Lord Rothschild to be members of the Order of Merit.

Background

The Order of Merit, founded in 1902 by King Edward VII, is a special mark of honour conferred by The Sovereign on individuals of exceptional distinction in the arts, learning, sciences and other areas. Appointments to the Order are in The Sovereign's personal gift and ministerial advice is not required.

A list of the members of the Order of Merit is attached.

Released at 1200 hours GMT, Monday 28th October 2002.

MEMBERS OF THE ORDER OF MERIT

Substantive Members

His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, K.G., K.T., O.M., G.B.E., A.C., Q.S.O., F.R.S. 1968

Sir George Robert Edwards, O.M., C.B.E., F.R.S. 1971

The Reverend Professor William Owen Chadwick, O.M., K.B.E., F.B.A. 1983

Sir Andrew Fielding Huxley, O.M., F.R.S. 1983

Doctor Frederick Sanger, O.M., C.H., C.B.E., F.R.S. 1986

Dame Cicely Mary Strode Saunders, O.M., D.B.E., F.R.C.P. 1989

Professor George, Lord Porter of Luddenham, O.M., F.R.S. 1989

The Right Honourable Margaret Hilda, Lady Thatcher, L.G., O.M., F.R.S. 1990

Dame Joan Sutherland, O.M., A.C., D.B.E. 1991

Professor Francis Harry Compton Crick, O.M., F.R.S. 1991

Sir Michael Francis Atiyah, O.M., F.R.S. 1992

Lucian Freud, O.M., C.H. 1993

The Right Honourable Roy Harris, Lord Jenkins of Hillhead, O.M. 1993

Sir Aaron Klug, O.M., P.R.S. 1995

Lord Foster of Thames Bank, O.M., R.A. 1997

Sir Denis Eric Rooke, O.M., C.B.E., F.R.S. 1997

Sir James Whyte Black, O.M., F.R.S. 2000

Sir Anthony Alfred Caro, O.M., C.B.E. 2000

Professor Sir Roger Penrose, O.M., F.R.S. 2000

Sir Thomas Stoppard, O.M., C.B.E 2000

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, KG, KT, OM, GCB, AK, QSO 2002

Honorary Member

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, O.M. 1995