The father of tragic teenager Molly Russell received an MBE from Prince William today in recognition of its online safety campaigns.
Molly, 14, took her own life in November 2017 after seeing harmful material on social media.
Her father, Ian, has spent the ensuing years demanding changes from tech giants to protect vulnerable children, and was today honored for his efforts to Windsor castle.
Mr Russell founded the suicide prevention charity in memory of the Molly Rose Foundation and contributed to the establishment of the Online Safety Act.
He said he believes Molly would have been “very proud” of her legacy.
Ian Russell (pictured) after being appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle today
The Prince of Wales awards Ian Russell (pictured) his MBE for his services to child safety
Molly Russell (pictured) who took her own life in November 2017 aged 14 after viewing material related to anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicide on social media
Mr Russell was joined today by Diana Parks and Gillian Millane, who both lost their daughters in the most horrific circumstances.
Ms Parkes, 59, received a CBE for services to vulnerable children suffering from domestic violence and domestic homicide.
She co-founded the Joanna Simpson Foundation after the 46-year-old was murdered by former British Airways captain Robert Brown just a week before their divorce was due to be finalized in 2010.
Ms Millane was awarded an OBE for her services to charity fundraising and tackling violence against women after campaigning on behalf of 21-year-old Grace, who was murdered while backpacking in New Zealand.
The university graduate was strangled in an Auckland hotel after meeting her killer Jesse Shane Kempson on Tinder in December 2018.
Ms Millane has set up the Love Grace appeal in her memory, which aims to 'empower victims of domestic abuse'. Hannah Louise O'Callaghan, Grace's cousin, was awarded an OBE for co-founding the organisation.
Diana Parkes, of Ramsey, co-founder and patron of the Joanna Simpson Foundation, is appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire by the Princess Royal at Windsor Castle
Carrie Johnson (left) and Joanna Simpson's mother Diana Parkes in Westminster, London, for the launch of a campaign to prevent the release of Robert Brown on March 1, 2023
Joanna Simpson (pictured) was murdered by her husband Robert Brown in their family home in October 2010
Grace Millane, 22, (pictured), who was murdered in New Zealand in December 2018
Mr Russell met with Esther Ghey, Brianna Ghey's mother, earlier this year to discuss the tragic deaths of their children and called on regulators to 'have courage' and 'move further and faster' to tackle the address the issue.
Speaking live to Ms Gray on the BBC, Mr Russell said big tech companies were “going in the wrong direction”, adding that he thought it was their bosses who were “resistant to change”.
He added: “The world is waking up and realizing that nothing will change unless it regulates big tech.
'What we need in Britain right now is for Ofcom, the regulator appointed by the government to take over the powers of the Online Safety Act, to put it into practice. We need Ofcom to be much bolder.”
Ian Russell, Molly Russell's father, and Esther Ghey, Brianna Ghey's mother, appear on BBC Breakfast when they first met
Brianna Ghey, 16, was found with fatal injuries in a park near Warrington, Cheshire, in February 2023
Commenting on this year's New Year Honors List, Rishi Sunak said: 'The New Year Honors List recognizes the exceptional achievements of people across the country and those who have shown the highest commitment to selflessness and compassion.
'To all the winners: you are the pride of this country and an inspiration to us all.'
Manchester City and English football player Lauren Hemp also attended the investiture ceremony after being awarded an MBE for her services to football in the New Year's celebration.
Hemp was part of the Lionesses squad that won the 2022 European championship and finished second Spain at the World Cup in August 2023.
She said: 'I would like to dedicate my MBE to everyone who has supported me in my career so far, and to everyone behind the scenes for continuing to push boundaries to women's football to where it is now.”
Lauren Hemp (pictured) after being appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Northern Irish actor and honorary doctorate of the University of Ulster, Dr. James Martin (pictured) is seen after being appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire
Actor James Martin also visited Windsor Castle on Wednesday to gain an MBE for services to drama in Northern Ireland.
Martin, who has Down syndrome, starred in the short film An Irish Goodbye, which won several awards at major ceremonies last year, including the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film and the Bafta for Best Short Film.
He said he “cried his eyes out” after hearing about his honor.
Other recipients on Wednesday included artist Sonia Boyce, who was honored for her services to the arts, Olympian Tom Bosworth, who was awarded an MBE for services to race walking, and Arctic geologist Dr. Steven Andrews, who received the Polar Medal, awarded to individuals for outstanding service in the field of polar research.
King Edward VII introduced the Polar Medal in 1904 after the return of Captain Scott's Discovery expedition.