Luke Littler celebrates MBE with heartfelt message
Luke Littler shared a touching message with fans after collecting his MBE from Prince William at Windsor Castle yesterday, reports BritPanorama.
The 19-year-old darts sensation took to social media to express his gratitude, writing: “An amazing day and a proud moment for me and my family.” He added, “Not long ago I was playing in the academy and local pub leagues so to now have an MBE is crazy. Wouldn’t be here without all the support of my family, sponsors and all of you [fans] so thank you it means a lot.”
The honour was announced in last summer’s King’s Birthday Honours List for his services to darts. Littler’s journey to this moment has been nothing short of remarkable.
It feels like yesterday that a fresh-faced 16-year-old burst onto the scene at Alexandra Palace, captivating audiences with a fairytale run to the World Championship final in 2023/24. That debut ended in defeat against Luke Humphries, but it was clear something special was brewing.
Littler returned the following year with unfinished business, defeating Humphries to claim the Sid Waddell Trophy at just 17 years and 347 days old – making him the youngest world champion in the tournament’s history. He then defended his crown against Gian van Veen, cementing his status as the sport’s dominant force.
Since making his professional debut, ‘The Nuke’ has been absolutely unstoppable, racking up an impressive collection of silverware. His 2024 campaign saw him scoop the Premier League, World Series of Darts Finals and Grand Slam of Darts titles. Last season proved even more dominant, with Littler claiming six TV ranking titles including the UK Open, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship Finals.
This year has brought more success, with the teenager winning his first Winmau World Masters crown before securing back-to-back UK Open victories in Minehead in March. He’s also climbed to world number one – a position that once seemed unthinkable for someone so young. With the MBE now proudly in hand, Littler’s focus shifts straight back to the oche.
He’ll be in action at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena on Thursday for Night 16 of the Premier League, where he’s chasing a record-breaking seventh nightly victory of the season. The good news? He’s already booked his spot for Finals Night at the O2 Arena on May 28, having topped the group stage. Littler will be desperate to go one better this time around after losing to Humphries in last year’s final.
In a sport where youth often finds itself battling against experience, Littler reminds us that age can often be an advantage. With an MBE under his belt, it’s clear that the oche may be just the beginning for this young talent who has shown remarkable resilience and ambition, poised to carve out an even more illustrious path ahead.
