People whose names are published in The Queen's Birthday Honours and New Year Honours lists usually receive their award from The Queen (or The Prince of Wales or, occasionally, another member of the Royal family) at an Investiture in Buckingham Palace. Knights are given the accolade, the touch of a sword on each shoulder. There are usually 20 Investitures held in the Ballroom at the Palace each year, with another at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh and sometimes one more at Cardiff Castle in Wales. Investitures are occasionally held overseas, during a State Visit by The Queen or a foreign visit by another member of the Royal family.

Up to 150 recipients attend each ceremony, and each recipient can nominate three friends or relations to sit in the audience to witness the occasion. The Queen enters the room attended by two Gurkha Orderly Officers, a tradition begun by Queen Victoria in 1876. Also on duty are members of The Queen's Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard, which was created by Henry VII in 1485. Music is provided by either a military band or an orchestra from the Purcell School of Music. The Queen, or the member of the Royal family holding the Investiture, remains standing throughout. Each Investiture takes about an hour.

More information on investitures may be found on the official website of the British Monarchy.