Are Blackpink the most unlikely MBEs ever? K-Pop fever takes over the palace as King Charles presents honorary awards and Coldstream Guards band play their hits – but some royal fans blast ‘ridiculous’ decision

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.

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

King Charles 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. 

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.’

‘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.

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.

‘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.’

K-pop sensations Blackpink won a coveted invite to the state banquet after their meteoric rise in the music world – but couldn’t help blushing when they got a mention in the King’s speech

By Jessica Taylor  

As Buckingham Palace dazzled with diamonds during last night’s state banquet to welcome Yook Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee to the UK, the South Korean president and first lady brought some very glamorous guests along with them.

K-Pop band Blackpink made a phenomenal entrance into the palace, dripping in goth glamour as they attended the banquet where guests dined on poached egg tartlet, Windsor pheasant and a mango ice cream bombe.

As they walked along the red carpet to dine with members of the royal family and high-profile UK politicians, they stunned in velvet, mint chiffon, statement shoulders and sweet bardot necklines. 

The foursome, made up of Jennie Kim, 27, Jisoo, 28, Rosé, 25, and Lisa, 25, formed in 2016 and has since taken the K-Pop world by storm – and they have even earnt the admiration of King Charles who mentioned the members by name in his speech at dinner.

Among their achievements so far are performances at enormous music festivals including Coachella, collaborations with top stars like Selena Gomez and signings with lucrative designers around the world – but their sexy performances have landed them in hot water with some fans.

The band was originally formed by YG Entertainment in 2016 after a host of teenagers auditioned to become part of the next hottest girl group in South Korea.

At first, Blackpink was comprised of nine members – before the original line-up was reduced to four.

The group was also reportedly set to have a different name, with Pink Punk being among those selected, before Blackpink was picked as the final name.

Blackpink was then chosen to represent their power and contradict the normal association with the colour pink.

According to People, a statement at the time explained: ‘The meaning of BLACKPINK aims to contradict the common perception of the color pink.

‘Pink is commonly used to portray prettiness, but BLACKPINK actually means to say that ‘Pretty isn’t everything’.

‘It also symbolises that they are a team that encompasses not only beauty but also great talent.’

After the release of their first single, Square One, the band became a sensation in the K-Pop world overnight and they have since gone on to produce two chart-topping albums; The Album and Born Pink.

Blackpink have also collaborated with Selena Gomez on single Ice Cream, and Lady Gaga on Sour Candy.

After breaking America, Blackpink have toured the US performing in sell-out shows, appeared on several talk shows including The Late Show with Stephen Colbert – and they’ve even appeared onstage at Coachella.

Netflix documentary BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky went behind the scenes at the festival and documented the band’s journey from their early days to their career-making Coachella moment.

As well as thriving on the music scene, the members have also risen to global celebrity status and have secured a whole host of impressive deals.

Jisoo has worked as a Dior ambassador, while Jennie has partnered with Chanel and become a global brand ambassador for Calvin Klein, and Rose has leant her hand to Saint Laurent.

However, the band’s meteoric rise hasn’t been without stumbling blocks, as they have encountered a few controversies on the way. 

Just a few weeks ago, following a raunchy performance in Paris, Lisa found her social media account on Weibo, China’s biggest social media platform, suspended.

The suspension followed growing backlash in parts of Asia against Lisa for performing a burlesque show at the famed Parisian cabaret venue Crazy Horse. 

The performance saw the 26-year-old pop star dressed in lingerie and revealing outfits as she danced on stage to various tunes.

While there was no nudity, the provocative nature of the revue combined with Crazy Horse’s racy reputation sparked outrage across Asia.

Weibo did not give an official reason for suspending Lisa’s account outside of a message stating, ‘This account can no longer be viewed due to reports of violations of laws, regulations, and Weibo community agreement’.

On top of that, the official Weibo accounts for luxury brands Celine and Bvlgari, which Lisa is a celebrity ambassador for, removed all of the star’s images from their accounts.

But last night, amid the glitz and glamour of Buckingham Palace’s state banquet, Lisa and her bandmates brushed off any controversy to dine with royalty – and as the King mentioned them by name in his speech, they blushed with pride.

Noting the band’s commitment to promoting climate conservation, King Charles said: ‘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.’

As each band member was named, they exchanged looks and stifled smiles in a bashful show of excitement. 

Today, the King went even further in his tribute to the foursome, awarding them honorary MBEs in recognition of their roles as advocates at the COP26 summit in Glasgow in 2021.