Frankie Allen has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2026 King’s New Year Honours List for her outstanding services to disability sport and efforts to improve access to sport for young people. The honour recognises her extraordinary achievements both on and off the water. 

Frankie has established herself as one of Britain’s most inspiring para-rowers. Born with Erb’s palsy, she took up rowing at Pangbourne and went on to make her mark in international competition after joining the GB Para Rowing Team in 2022. 

In her debut season on the elite stage she became double World Champion, winning gold in both the PR3 mixed coxed four and the PR3 women’s pair at the 2022 World Rowing Championships - a historic feat that made her the first woman to win two world titles in a single regatta. She and her crew also broke the world record in the mixed four. 

Allen’s success continued in 2023 and culminated at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, where she helped Great Britain’s PR3 mixed coxed four to gold, extending the boat’s remarkable unbeaten run at major championships that has stretched back more than a decade. The crew also set a new world-best time on their way to Paralympic victory. 

Beyond her competitive triumphs, Frankie studied physiotherapy at Oxford Brookes University and is passionate about inspiring young people, particularly those with disabilities, to access sport and achieve their potential. 

Reacting to her MBE, Frankie described the honour as “a great privilege”, paying tribute to the support of her family, teammates and coaches who have helped her reach the pinnacle of her sport.