The Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover, was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to young people and the Church. However, because of the Coronavirus pandemic, Bishop Rose was not able to receive her medal until 7 May 2022, when it was presented to her at Canterbury Cathedral by the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Lady Colgrain.
Reflecting on the day, Bishop Rose said: “The letter informing me of the award came as a complete shock. I actually gave it to my husband to read in case I had read it incorrectly. Due to Covid-19 Pandemic, there has been a significant delay in receiving the actual award. In the end I opted to receive it locally in front of my ‘home crowd’. Having heard the citation being read, I have received it on behalf of the many people I have worked with in various capacities - and I say ‘thank you’ to them for making this award possible. The words that I use when I licence a new priest for ministry rings true ‘receive this ministry, which is both mine and yours’ – this award is both mine and theirs.”