World No. 1 Luke Littler has been presented with an MBE by Prince William at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle in recognition of his services to the sport of darts.
Littler, who was named in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours list alongside fellow pro Luke Humphries, accepted the accolade after a meteoric rise through the sport. Now 19, he has claimed back-to-back PDC World Championship titles and rewritten the record books in the process.
He made history as the youngest world champion when he won the title at 17 years and 347 days, and his rapid succession of major wins has established him among darts’ elite. Littler’s honours include victories in the Premier League, the World Series of Darts Finals and the Grand Slam of Darts in 2024, followed by an extraordinary 2025 campaign that produced six televised ranking titles.
That run featured triumphs at the UK Open, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship Finals, and he successfully retained the Sid Waddell Trophy in January. In 2026 he added the Winmau World Masters and a second consecutive UK Open to his list of achievements.
On receiving the MBE, Littler described the honour as unexpected and deeply meaningful, saying it was a proud moment for him and his family.
The investiture also recognised other figures from sport and entertainment: comedian Matt Lucas received an OBE, while England footballer Ella Toone and rugby union player Sadia Kabeya were both awarded MBEs.
Littler will return to action in the BetMGM Premier League on Night 16 in Sheffield as he chases a record-breaking seventh nightly victory of the season. The 2026 Premier League season heads to the Utilita Arena in Sheffield with the play-off positions largely settled: Littler, Jonny Clayton, Gerwyn Price and Luke Humphries have all confirmed their places in the top four and will contest Finals Night at the O2 Arena on May 28.
Only the final seeding between Price and Humphries remains to be decided, a placement that could determine whether either avoids a semi-final against group‑stage winner Littler. Night 16 quarter-final pairings in Sheffield are billed as:
– Jonny Clayton vs Stephen Bunting
– Gerwyn Price vs Gian van Veen
– Luke Littler vs Josh Rock
– Luke Humphries vs Michael van Gerwen
With Finals Night approaching, Littler’s MBE caps a period of sustained dominance and marks a notable recognition of darts’ growing profile. Fans will watch closely as he aims to carry that form into the remaining nights of the Premier League and beyond.