Cathy Foyle, widow of Christopher Foyle OBE DL, accepted her late husband’s Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) award from King Charles III at a ceremony held at Buckingham Palace on December 18. The prestigious recognition honours Christopher Foyle’s remarkable contributions to aviation, literature, and philanthropy.

“I was deeply honoured to receive Christopher’s award,” Cathy Foyle said. “My only wish is that he could have been here to accept it himself. This moment brings a meaningful close to this year and the two years since his passing. I feel immense gratitude and pride, not only for Christopher’s extraordinary accomplishments but for the incredible person he was. I was fortunate to share 39 years of marriage with a man who was honest, kind, generous, and incredibly funny, with a wicked sense of humour. He brought such joy to everyone around him, and I count myself lucky to have been his wife.”

Christopher Foyle, who passed away in 2022, was a towering figure in both the aviation and literary worlds. He held leadership roles including Chairman of Air Foyle, Air Foyle Heavylift, the British Cargo Airline Alliance (BCAA), and W. & G. Foyle Limited (Foyles), as well as serving as Past President of the International Air Cargo Association (TIACA). His vision and dedication helped shape the modern aviation industry while his stewardship of Foyles, the iconic London bookstore, solidified his influence in literary circles.

Cathy also paid tribute to the Air League of Monaco, an organisation Christopher founded in 2013 to support aspiring aviators. “I am so grateful to Sir Stelios and everyone involved in continuing and expanding on Christopher’s vision for the Air League of Monaco. Their dedication ensures that young people passionate about aviation have the opportunity to follow their dreams and succeed,” she said.

Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and members of the Air League of Monaco expressed their gratitude for Cathy Foyle’s ongoing support and involvement, underscoring her commitment to preserving and advancing Christopher’s legacy.

The OBE presentation stands as a lasting testament to Christopher Foyle’s enduring impact, celebrating his achievements and the values he championed throughout his life.

Image courtesy of the Air League of Monaco: Cathy Foyle, widow of Christopher Foyle OBE DL, accepted her late husband’s Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) award from King Charles III at a ceremony held at Buckingham Palace