Are K-Pop band Blackpink the most unlikely MBEs ever? King Charles presents honorary awards during state visit by Korea’s president – after praising the foursome for promoting COP26 to their YouTube followers

• The monarch, 75, held an Investiture for the band at Buckingham Palace today 
• READ MORE: Kemi Badenoch seeks new trade deal with South Korea 

K-pop royalty met real royalty as King Charles III awarded the girl group Blackpink with honourary MBEs this afternoon, but eyebrows have been raised over the move, which some royal watchers have branded ‘ridiculous’. 

The monarch, 75, appeared to be in high spirits as he held an Investiture for the band at Buckingham Palace, in the presence of The President of the Republic of Korea and the First Lady, during their official State Visit to the United Kingdom.

He invested Blackpink members Roseanne Park (Rosé), Jennie Kim, Jisoo Kim and Lalisa Manoban (Lisa) as Honorary Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBEs), in recognition of the band’s role as COP26 Advocates for the COP26 Summit in Glasgow 2021. 

The group – which in March became the most streamed female band on Spotify – also had the UK in a frenzy when it performed at BST Hyde Park in the summer.

Blackpink were first appointed by the UK Government as COP26 Advocates in January 2021. Non-UK citizens can be considered for an honour for their work within the UK. 

K-pop royalty met real royalty as King Charles III awarded iconic girl group Blackpink with honourary MBEs

The group released a series of videos aimed at encouraging young people to learn more about climate change, which resulted – the government says – in ‘significantly increased engagement’ with the Summit from a young audience.

The band have subsequently been appointed as global Ambassadors for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Arriving at the palace in an array of grey and black outfits, decidedly more demure than their usual provocative look, the girls lined up and were each presented by smiling Charles with their medals in the 1844 Room.

And it would appear the Royal Family are big fans. 

Charles appeared delighted to give the girls their honourary MBE’s, in a video shared by the royal family on X. 

And earlier, a social media clip in front of the Palace captured the moment the Coldstream Guards Band played a rendition of DDU-DU DDU-DU – one of Blackpink’s biggest hits.

However, it would seem that while most people on social media were delighted by the news, some expressed their criticism, finding the move ‘ridiculous’.

‘More abuse of the honourary system,’ one wrote. ‘It’s becoming meaningless.’

Pictured from left to right: Lisa (Lalisa Manoban), Rose (Roseanne Park), Jisoo Kim and Jennie Kim

The group – which in March became the most streamed female band on Spotify – also had the UK in a frenzy when it performed at BST Hyde Park in the summer, leaving audience members like Hugh Grant completely wowed

K-pop group Blackpink were first appointed by the UK Government as COP26 Advocates in January 2021

However, it would seem that while most people on social media were delighted by the news, some expressed their criticism, finding the move ‘ridiculous’

‘Didn’t know you could buy those titles,’ a second hit out.

However, others said ‘nobody is doing it like them’ as they showered Blackpink in praise.

‘A lovely gesture from the King, and well deserved,’ one comment read.

Another added: ‘They deserve every single recognition they get each year.’

‘Truly an inspiration for all of us!!’ a third remarked. 

After receiving their honours, the girls then posed for official photographs including one with The President of the Republic of Korea and the First Lady, who were on hand to witness the moment. 

Korean culture has experienced an explosion in popularity with its music, known as K-pop, becoming a global youth phenomenon.

Alongside bands such as BTS, Blackpink are at the vanguard of the genre, smashing records including becoming the most subscribed and viewed music artist on YouTube and having the highest-grossing tour by a female group.

Charles appeared delighted to give the girls their honourary MBE’s, in a video shared by the royal family

The monarch, 75, appeared to be in high spirits as he held an Investiture for the band at Buckingham Palace, in the presence of The President of the Republic of Korea and the First Lady, during their official State Visit to the United Kingdom

The group was also in attendance at last night’s state banquet – where the King honoured them in his speech

With dual New Zealand citizenship, Rosé’s MBE is classed as ‘substantive’ (as opposed to just Honorary, which goes to foreign nationals) because she is a national of a British realm where the monarch is also head of state.

The group was also in attendance at last night’s state banquet – where the King honoured them in his speech. 

Speaking to more than 300 state banquet attendees, he welcomed them with a smattering of Korean: ‘Yeong-gug-e osin geos-eul hwan-yeonghabnida [Welcome to Britain].’

Marking the 140th anniversary of Korea’s diplomatic relationship with the UK, the king described it as a ‘partnership in which close personal connections, fostered over many decades, have blossomed today into a real sense of affection, or jeong, between our societies at so many levels’.

The king highlighted the ‘remarkable journey’ Korea has taken into span of his lifetime, saying: ‘Koreans have created a miracle.

‘Even at the time of my last visit, that journey was clearly just beginning. The Republic of Korea’s drive and energy continued apace, and with it, the impact on British lives. From fridges and flatscreens to smartphones and semiconductors, it is clear that the model of industrial efficiency I glimpsed in Seoul thirty years ago has become the epitome of technological creativity today. ‘

Highlighting the ‘artistic creativity’ of the country, he also praised the explosion of Korean culture.

‘Korea has matched Danny Boyle with Bong Joon-ho, James Bond with Squid Game, and the Beatles’ Let It Be with BTS’s Dynamite,’ he said.

He also praised Korea’s commitment to the environment despite the country’s great changes.

‘The Republic of Korea, as one of very few countries which ended the twentieth century with more trees than at the century’s beginning, has always grasped this,’ he said.

Marking the 140th anniversary of Korea’s diplomatic relationship with the UK, the king described it as a ‘partnership in which close personal connections

Meanwhile King Charles III opted for a traditional black tuxedo adorned with medals. Pictured with South Korea’s President and First Lady

‘It is especially inspiring to see Korea’s younger generation embrace the cause. I applaud Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rosé, better known collectively as BLACKPINK, for their role in bringing the message of environmental sustainability to a global audience as Ambassadors for the U.K.’s Presidency of COP 26, and later as advocates for the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.

‘I can only admire how they can prioritise these vital issues, as well as being global superstars. ‘

Charles and Camilla officially welcomed South Korea’s president to Britain yesterday.

The Prince and Princess of Wales too played a key role by greeting President Yoon and his wife at their hotel for a very regal welcome. 

William and Kate – who looked stunning in a red outfit – met the visitors at their London hotel yesterday morning.

The pair travelled with Mr Yoon and Mrs Kim to a Horse Guards Parade ceremonial welcome, where the King and Queen were waiting.

Following the event, they travelled to Buckingham Palace to view a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection relating to South Korea in the Picture Gallery. 

It comes as, today, Kemi Badenoch will today launch talks to widen the free trade deal with South Korea to support British jobs.

As the two countries upgrade the existing agreement to include digital trade, the Business and Trade Secretary will meet her Korean counterpart Bang Moon Kyu at the UK-Korea Business Forum at Mansion House in the City of London.

They will announce £21billion of investment committed by Korean businesses in green energy and infrastructure projects across the UK.

The funding will create more than 1,500 skilled jobs and drive innovation, the Government said.

The UK secured a free trade deal with South Korea in 2019, with the agreement largely aimed at keeping trade flowing post-Brexit and removing uncertainty. But British ministers want to secure modern, digital provisions in a new deal because most of its service exports to Korea are delivered digitally.

The Government said 7,000 businesses exporting goods to South Korea will benefit, as the new agreement is set to include support for smaller businesses by digitalising and simplifying customs procedures. Luxury car manufacturer Bentley and drinks giant Diageo are expected to announce more than £200million worth of contracts in the country this year.

And the UK will work to secure simple rules of origin to help businesses benefit from reduced or zero tariffs when exporting to the Asian giant. South Korea is the 13th largest economy in the world, and its import market is set to grow 45 per cent by 2035.

Mrs Badenoch said last night: ‘The Government is upgrading our trade deal with South Korea to ensure that our trading relationship plays to the UK’s strengths as an advanced, high-tech economy.

‘This refreshed, modernised deal will boost our world-leading services sector while also creating opportunities for UK exports such as in our world-leading food and luxury goods sectors.’

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