Fashion designer Katharine Hamnett holds her Commander of the British Empire (CBE) medal, after it was presented to her by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in central London
Fashion designer Katharine Hamnett holds her Commander of the British Empire (CBE) medal, after it was presented to her by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in central London June 1, 2011. Reuters

British fashion designer Katharine Hamnett, best know for her T-shirts bearing political slogans, was awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) medal on Wednesday. The medal was presented to her at Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth II for her service in the fashion industry.

Hamnett wore a large red hat to the ceremony. The hat, which ressembles an octopus with feathers for tentacles, was designed by Philip Treacy.

Hamnett is 63 years old and rose to fame in the 1980s with her T-shirts bearing slogans like Frankie Says and Choose Life. Hamnett is known for her eco-friendly projects including a partnership with London department story Selfidges to raise awareness about fishing and the state of the world's oceans.

Commander of the British Empire is an order of chivalry enstated by King George V in 1917. The title of Commander is third in seniority, the two titles above it (Knight Grand Cross and Knight Commander) automatically make the individual a knight or dame.

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