Since 1860, the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom recognises a list of figures for their achievements and services from a swathe of industries in either the New Year Honours list or the Birthday Honours list.
Following an illustrious career in the game so far, the 23-year-old has been selected by King Charles for the 2024 award.
For Hemp, a four-time PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year winner, it’s a source of unbridled pride.
“It’s a massive privilege for me and an absolute honour,” she declared.
“I think the women’s game has come on massively over the last few years and it’s very nice to be recognised.
“It’s amazing that just doing the thing you love everyday gets the recognition like this so it’s a huge honour for me.
“If you told me that little 10-year-old Lauren would grow up and become an MBE I don’t think I’d have believed you.
“I’m hoping young girls and boys will look up to that and think that it is possible for them. It is possible to become a professional footballer – that’s the main aim for us.
“We want to increase participation, we want to get girls and boys involved in the sport and we want to obviously produce on the world’s biggest stage as well.
“I think getting the recognition and MBEs and OBEs is so important for us because we want to increase that and I think it helps young girls look up to us as role models which is so important for us and we hold dear.
“He [Gareth Taylor] congratulated me this morning and he was very pleased for me. A lot of people have to be honest so I’ve not been able to go through all the messages.
“So many people and teammates have messaged saying ‘well done’ and ‘so deserved’ and it’s so nice to receive them as well.”
Hemp has enjoyed a strong campaign so far in 2023/24 by netting five goals and recording two assists in 11 outings in all competitions.
These impressive statistics have helped Taylor’s side climb to second in the Barclays Women’s Super League table amid what’s proving to be an enthralling title race.
And Hemp is excited to compete for major honours during the second half of the season.
“Confidence at Manchester City is very high at the moment, it’s so competitive and a competitive environment to be in.
“I love being here and competing for trophies and this half of the season is going to be so important.
“I’m so excited and these are the sorts of games you want to be playing in – the ones where they mean so much.
“The title race is on and there are so many people up for it and the league is so competitive anyone can take points from anyone so it’s important we’re on top and that starts when we get back to Manchester.”
