Dr Maria João Rodrigues de Araújo honoured by both the United Kingdom and Portugal

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Dr Maria João Rodrigues de Araújo MBE, a member of the Faculty of Music and Oriel College and an alumna of Christ Church, has recently been recognised with two national honours acknowledging her contribution to international cultural diplomacy.

She was appointed Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) by His Majesty King Charles III, receiving the award at Windsor Castle in an investiture conducted by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. She was also appointed Commander of the Order of Prince Henry, a national order of Portugal, awarded by His Excellency the President of the Republic.

Dr Rodrigues de Araújo is the founder of Portugal-UK 650, an initiative celebrating and strengthening the world's oldest diplomatic alliance. The project has secured the Patronage of both His Majesty The King and the President of Portugal, and has delivered more than 300 projects and events in collaboration with over 220 partners. These have included major occasions at St James's Palace and Buckingham Palace, involving leading figures from both countries.

The initiative has brought together over 250 researchers, including colleagues from across the University and Professor Owen Rees from the Faculty of Music; more than 1,500 artists, among them Professor David Maw and Professor Owen Rees from the Faculty of Music; ten world premieres; and fifteen publications. Its scope has recently expanded to encompass the Commonwealth and Portuguese-speaking nations. In 2025 Dr Rodrigues de Araújo oversaw the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize Performance at Marlborough House, attended by Their Majesties The King and Queen. The event featured a performance by Professor Rees and his choir of a new work on peace and friendship by Andrew Lloyd Webber, which received global press coverage.

Reflecting on the honours, Dr Rodrigues de Araújo said:

As a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and Portugal, it has been an honour to see my work recognised by both nations… It is a great joy to see my academic work contributing so meaningfully to the promotion of a culture of peace and friendship between nations across the world.