Rachel Riley is supported by husband Pasha Kovalev as she accepts the MBE

Rachel Riley received an MBE at Windsor Castle for her work raising awareness of the Holocaust and combating anti-Semitism.

The Countdown presenter, 37, was honored for her services to Holocaust education as a staunch campaigner in the New Year Honors list.

She was an outspoken critic of Labour’s handling of perceived anti-Semitism within the party and condemned Jeremy Corbyn’s behavior as leader.

Riley, who has co-hosted the Channel 4 show since 2009, was awarded £10,000 in damages by Mr Corbyn’s former assistant, Laura Murray, following a libel suit from the High Court last August.

In 2019, she explained the abuse she received as a public figure on social media while speaking to the Holocaust Educational Trust in Westminster, while her mother was Jewish.

All yours: The Countdown presenter was honored by Prince Charles for her services to Holocaust education as a staunch campaigner in the New Year Honors list

Thanks: Riley shook hands with the King after accepting the honor at Windsor Castle

Riley wrote on Twitter after the honor was announced: “Incredibly proud to have just been awarded an MBE for services to Holocaust education.

“Grateful to everyone who has sent well wishes and support over the years.

“This is very much shared with so many people who are also putting their time and energy into fighting anti-Jewish racism.”

Sir Alok Sharma and David Harewood are among the other notable names to take honors at the event.

Sir Alok, a former Conservative cabinet minister, has been a Member of Parliament for Reading West since 2010 and also chaired Cop26, the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.

He remained outspoken about environmental policy and last week called on the government to remain committed to an £11.6bn climate pledge.

Fellow MP Sir Tony Lloyd, who holds a Labor seat in Rochdale, will also be honored for his public service – having represented his party since the early 1980s.

Actor and broadcaster Harewood, best known for his role on the American drama series Homeland, was recognized on the roll of honor with an OBE for services to drama and charity after becoming a prominent voice for mental health support and against racism.

He said on Instagram: “An award from a new king should be cause for great celebration, and yet already I can hear the chorus of self-destructive voices rattling through my head, thoughts of ‘Empire’ and submission confusing the image and once again the move earth. below.

“I stop for a moment and think of all the others whose contributions have gone unnoticed and unpaid and accept this award on their behalf, continuing to speak the truth to power when and where I see the need.”

Two men will receive an award for services to music, with Moody Blues frontman Justin Hayward also receiving an OBE and pianist Sir Stephen Hough receiving his knighthood.

Sir Stephen, who made 29 appearances at the BBC Proms, was recognized last year in the belated Queen’s Birthday Honors for a career that has included eight Gramophone Awards.

He said he saw the knighthood as recognition that classical music is “something of lasting relevance and importance in British cultural life”.