In 2005, who became the youngest person ever to be made a Dame of the British Empire?
Dame but this usage was replaced by "Lady" during the 17th century. The title of dame as the official equivalent of knight was introduced in 1917 with the introduction of the Order of the British Empire, and was subsequently extended to the Royal Victorian Order in 1936, the Order of St Michael and St George, and finally the Order of the Bath in 1971. The youngest person to be appointed a dame was Ellen MacArthur at the age of 28. The oldest had been Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies at the age of 100, until Olivia de Havilland was appointed two weeks before her
Order of the British Empire to the Order of the British Empire were originally made on the nomination of the United Kingdom, the self-governing Dominions of the Empire (later Commonwealth) and the Viceroy of India. Nominations continue today from Commonwealth countries that participate in recommending British (Imperial) honours. Most Commonwealth countries ceased recommendations for appointments to the Order of the British Empire when they created their own honours. The five classes of appointment to the Order are, in descending order of precedence: The senior two ranks of Knight or Dame Grand Cross, and Knight or Dame Commander, entitle their members to use the title of