The leader of Douglas Borough Council Councillor David Christian has been presented with his MBE by Her Majesty the Queen at an investiture ceremony held at Buckingham Palace on Thursday November 28th.

Councillor Christian, who received the honour in recognition of his services to local government and the community of Douglas, said: ‘It was a fantastic day; all the palace staff went out of their way to make everyone feel at ease - and among the 90-odd people was author Jackie Collins receiving her OBE. 

‘When Her Majesty learned I was from the Isle of Man she said “a nice place to live” and that I was “very young” to have been in local government for 26 years and council leader for 12. I also took the opportunity to say that I had had the pleasure to meet the Prince of Wales when he visited Douglas in our centenary year, 1996, when I served as mayor and was among those invited to lunch with him on the Royal Yacht Britannia.

‘Being awarded the MBE is tribute to the tremendous support I’ve had from my family and friends, also from Council colleagues and staff. It was a very proud day for me and my family, an occasion I’ll never forget and one where I was honoured to be representing the Isle of Man.’