Australian pop star Kylie Minogue and the professor who created Dolly the
sheep are among the prominent figures who have received awards from Queen
Elizabeth II in her annual New Year Honors list.
Minogue, 39 , and Prof. Ian Wilmut were appointed to the Order of the British
Empire (OBE) in the list, which is chosen by the queen on the advise of the
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Other award winners included Stuart Rose, the head of the British retailer
Marks and Spencer, who was handed a knighthood and "Lord of the Rings" star Ian
McKellen.
The award of a Companion of Honour for the 68-year-old British actor, who
already has a knighthood and has been a longtime campaigner for gay rights,
recognized his efforts to promote "equality."
The New Year's list recognizes a wide range of people who are thought to have
made a positive contribution to British life.
