How Queen Elizabeth II honoured snooker's greatest icons including Ronnie O'Sullivan, Judd Trump and Steve Davis

ByEurosport

Updated 12/09/2022 at 09:49 GMT

The sport of snooker has been continually honoured by Queen Elizabeth II throughout the decades with a galaxy of green baize stars rewarded for their service and commitment to the sport and charity work away from the table. “To be awarded an MBE is an incredibly proud moment for me and my family,” said 2019 world champion Judd Trump after being included in the 2022 Queen's Birthday Honours List.

English snooker and billiards player Joe Davis OBE (1901-1978) during his investiture at Buckingham Palace in London, UK, 19th July 1963. He is accompanied by his wife Juanita (aka singer June Malo) and daughter, Mrs Dorothy Hanson.

Image credit: Eurosport

A number of snooker's most celebrated figures have been honoured by Queen Elizabeth II for their services to the sport during her historic 70-year reign, including Ronnie O'Sullivan, Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis, arguably the three greatest players of all time.

2019 world champion Judd Trump and four-time Crucible winner Mark Selby were both awarded MBEs in the Queen’s 2022 Birthday Honours List for services to the sport and their charity commitments off the table.

Buckingham Palace confirmed in a statement on Thursday, September 8 2022 that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96.

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“To be awarded an MBE is an incredibly proud moment for me and my family,” said Trump in June. “It was a huge surprise.

“It’s an absolute honour to be an ambassador for the Teenage Cancer Trust and the Jessie May Foundation; both do such amazing work and I will continue to support them as much as possible.

"I hope I can continue to help grow the sport of snooker and inspire kids to pick up a cue.”

Ronnnie O'Sullivan (L) stands with his fiancee British actress Laila Rouass, as he poses with his medal after being appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), at an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace in Lo

Image credit: Eurosport

Leicester professional Selby admitted it was "great honour" after lifting four world titles between 2014 and 2021.

“It really goes to show how all my efforts over so many years have paid off," he said.

“I’ve not come from a privileged background. I came from a council estate and life was tough.

"This shows that anything is possible for anyone, regardless of where they begin. I’m so proud.”

World champion and world No. 1 Ronnie O'Sullivan received his OBE in May 2016 from Prince Charles, the new King Charles III at Windsor Castle.

"I am extremely grateful for this recognition which is a great honour and has made both myself and my family very proud," said the 39-time ranking event winner.

"It came as a great surprise to receive my OBE and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my family, friends and fans who have supported me throughout my career and made this achievement possible.”

Four-time world champion John Higgins discovered that he was included in the 2008 Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.

“I’m very, very honoured, not just for me, but for my family, for the sport and for the town of Wishaw. This is for everyone," said the Scotsman.

“I was told about it a month ago and it left me stunned when I was asked if I would like one.

“Although I’m still a bit shocked I am absolutely delighted by this. It’s fantastic.”

Brothers Joe and Fred Davis, with 23 world snooker titles between them, and celebrated World Billiards champion Walter Lindrum all received OBEs from Queen Elizabeth II.

The totemic snooker voices of Ted Lowe and Clive Everton also earned MBEs for their rousing contribution to the commentary box during snooker's halcyon televised era of the 1980s.

Former World Snooker chairman and sports promoter Barry Hearn, the manager of Steve Davis during his rise to six world titles between 1981 and 1989, received an OBE in 2021.

"I'm incredibly proud to have been awarded an OBE," he said. "It has been a great joy to be involved in such a wide range of sports for over 40 years, and to be recognised for that work is an honour.

"I've been lucky enough to work with some of the greatest players ever to play in their sport from Steve Davis to Phil Taylor to Chris Eubank, and I've got so many wonderful memories."

Image credit: Eurosport

John Higgins attends an investiture at Buckingham Palace after receiving an MBE from the Princess Royal, with his wife Denise and two of their children Pierce, seven, and four year old Oliver, on March 12, 2009 in London, England.

Image credit: Eurosport