England’s astonishing World Cup glory last year has been topped off with an honour for our eternally-waistcoated manager, Gareth Southgate.
The 48-year-old did not disappoint in his signature uniform as he accepted an OBE for services to football from Prince Charles on Thursday, one week after striker Harry Kane received an MBE at Buckingham Palace.
England reached the semi-finals in last year’s competition in Russia. It was the team’s first appearance in the final four since 1990.
The performance prompted inescapable shouts of “it’s coming home”, while Southgate received widespread adoration, not least because of his signature look – a classic five-button, single-breasted Marks & Spencer number, costing £65.
The Southgate Effect was demonstrated in England’s shopping habits, with Ebay claiming it sold a waistcoat every minute.
Meanwhile, bespoke tailor Owen Scott offered England fans the chance to buy a waistcoat with ‘It’s Coming Home’ woven into the pinstripe for £350.
Other honours awarded on Thursday included the composer Shirley Thompson, sculptor Alison Wilding and economist Tim Harford.
In a statement made when the honour was announced, Southgate said: “I’m an incredibly proud Englishman so having had the opportunity to have represented my country as a player more than 50 times and then to manage the team at a World Cup has been an absolute privilege.”
The ceremony also includes military and police personnel named in the New Year Honours list for 2019.