King Charles strips Scotland rugby legend of MBE as 15 people lose honours

King Charles has stripped 15 people of their honours in 2026, including former Scotland captain and British & Irish Lions star Stuart Hogg.

Hogg, who was once regarded as one of the best full-backs in the world, had his MBE taken away in March.

The former Scotland international received the honour in the 2024 New Year Honours list for his services to rugby.

But just over two years later, he was stripped of the award following his conviction for domestic abuse.

Stuart Hogg stripped of MBE

Hogg won 100 caps for Scotland and toured three times with the British & Irish Lions.

He was twice named Six Nations Player of the Championship and spent more than a decade as one of Scotland's biggest rugby stars.

However, his career achievements were overshadowed when he pleaded guilty to a domestic abuse charge involving his estranged wife, Gillian.

In January 2025, Hogg was handed a one-year community payback order.

His MBE was later cancelled, with his name removed from the official register.

The decision was confirmed in March 2026.

The Cabinet Office's official register confirms that 15 people have had honours revoked during 2026.

Receiving an MBE, OBE or knighthood is one of Britain's highest forms of recognition.

However, those honours are not necessarily permanent.

The monarch can revoke an honour following a recommendation from the Honours Forfeiture Committee.

Reasons can include criminal convictions, professional misconduct or behaviour that brings the honours system into disrepute.

Anyone stripped of an honour must stop using the associated letters after their name and is asked to return the insignia.

For Hogg, the decision marked another damaging chapter in the career of a player once celebrated as one of Scottish rugby's greatest modern talents.