Attitude publisher Darren Styles collects OBE from the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace
The Managing Director of Stream Publishing was appointed an OBE for services to the economy, diversity and charity in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2018.
By Will Stroude
Attitude publisher Darren Styles has accepted an OBE from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace.
The Managing Director of Stream Publishing and GREAT Britain ambassador was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the economy, diversity and charity in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2018.
He was presented with his medal by Prince Charles – whose son, the Duke of Cambridge, famously appeared on the cover of Attitude in 2016 – during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday (November 22).
Styles, who was named in the Financial Times’s OUTstanding 100 LGBT+ Executives list last month, commented: “What an extraordinary event a Buckingham Palace investiture is – awash with pomp and circumstance and so unfamiliar as to render a whole range of high achievers into a childlike state.
“I’m not sure I’ve ever been so nervous in my life. But HRH the Prince of Wales was as charming as you’d hope, was kind enough to ask about Attitude’s export success.
“We had a chuckle about how the Duke of Cambridge’s cover had contributed to that, and he referenced our charitable work with the Elton John AIDS Foundation too.
He continued: “It’s over in a flash, but I’m left with this incredible honour for which I can only thank my Stream Publishing colleagues, my friends and my family for their unstinting support and love in good times and in bad.
“I’ve done OK, but I’ve done nothing alone.”
Two years ago, Prince Charles’s eldest son, Prince William, made history by becoming the first member of the British Royal Family to appear on the cover of an LGBT+ publication.
The 36-year-old royal met with members of the LGBT+ community at Kensington Palace to hear their experiences of homophobic, bi-phobic and transphobic bullying, and its implications for mental health.
In a statement at the time, Prince William, who is second in line to the British throne, said: “No one should be bullied for their sexuality or any other reason and no one should have to put up with the kind of hate that these young people have endured in their lives.
“The young gay, lesbian and transgender individuals I met through Attitude are truly brave to speak out and to give hope to people who are going through terrible bullying right now.
“Their sense of strength and optimism should give us all encouragement to stand up to bullying wherever we see it.”
The Duke added: “What I would say to any young person reading this who’s being bullied for their sexuality: don’t put up with it – speak to a trusted adult, a friend, a teacher, Childline, Diana Award or some other service and get the help you need.
“You should be proud of the person you are and you have nothing to be ashamed of.”
The December issue of Attitude is out now.
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