Simon Schama to be made a knight at Buckingham Palace

Historian and broadcaster Simon Schama is to receive a knighthood today, 18 years after he was awarded a CBE.

Sir Simon, 73, was named in last year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours in recognition of his services to history.

The Columbia University professor is known for his BBC television series A History Of Britain, among numerous other documentaries and books.

He will be joined at the Buckingham Palace investiture ceremony by Matthew Coffey, chief operating officer of the education watchdog Ofsted, who is made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB).

Leading Seaman Simon Wharton of the Royal Navy will be awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for his role in a sea rescue.

He entered a pitch-black upturned boat to retrieve the body of a fisherman killed when his boat capsized near Plymouth in 2017.

Rosemary Johnson, executive director of the Royal Philharmonic Society, will collect an MBE for services to music.

The service will be conducted by the Duke of Cambridge.