Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been officially granted the title of Dame in a ceremony in the UK. She was named Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2023, as part of the King’s Birthday honours, in recognition of her service to the country. This honour came just months after her unexpected resignation.
Recently, Ardern received the award from Prince William during a ceremony at Windsor Castle in London. Prince William and his wife, Kate, expressed their admiration for Ardern on social media, calling her a friend, a remarkable advocate, and now, Dame Grand Companion. “It was a privilege to present you with this well-deserved award today at Windsor!” Prince William wrote.
In a video shared along with the post, Dame Jacinda expressed how honoured she felt. She said it was a humbling experience and viewed it as recognition not just of her own work but of her family, colleagues, and the many New Zealanders who supported her throughout her career.
Dame Jacinda was also in the UK to attend a meeting for the Earthshot Prize, an initiative led by Prince William, where she serves as a trustee. She emphasized the importance of the movement behind the prize, stating that it’s about encouraging people to act before environmental catastrophes happen, highlighting that there are already actions being taken to address these issues.
