North West Hampshire MP made Companion of Honour

Sir George Young, who lives in Penton Mewsey, near Andover, took his wife, Lady Aurelia Young and daughters, Camilla and Sophia (pictured) along to Buckingham Palace recently (Nov 21) for the hour-and-a-quarter ceremony, where he joined a line-up including Gary Barlow and Kate Winslet.
"It was a great honour to be at the investiture ceremony at the Palace and to be made a Companion of Honour by Her Majesty, who took the ceremony herself,” said Sir George, who reaches his 72nd birthday on July 16 and is Government Chief Whip.
Ninety one people were given medals by the Queen and each recipient was allowed to take along three guests.
The Order of the Companions of Honour was founded by King George V in 1917, as an award for outstanding achievements in the Arts, Literature, Music, Science, Politics, Industry or Religion. The numbers are capped at 65, with a quota of 45 from the United Kingdom. There are 38 current members, including Dame Judy Dench, John Major, Lord Hurd and Lord Patten.
First elected to Parliament in 1974, Sir George held various ministerial posts under Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major and in 2010 was made Leader of the House of Commons.
He has been the MP for North West Hampshire since 1997.