What honor was J.K. Rowling appointed to receive in the 2017 Birthday Honours?

J.K. Rowling was appointed a Companion of Honour in the 2017 Birthday Honours.

The Order of the Companions of Honour recognizes people who have made a major contribution to the arts, science, medicine, or government. Rowling was appointed to the order for services to literature and philanthropy in the 2017 Birthday Honours.

The appointment is distinct from a knighthood or damehood. Rowling had earlier received an OBE in 2001 for services to children’s literature and had been made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2002. Those are separate honors and should not be substituted for the 2017 appointment.

The Companion of Honour is limited to a small number of living members at one time. It was founded in 1917 by King George V. Members use the post-nominal letters CH after their names.