WELLINGTON environmentalist, novelist and business leader Chris Marrow has received the highest honorific decoration from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Queen Diambi Kabatusuila, being made a Knight of the Order of the Leopard of the Bakwa Luntu of Kasai – the first-ever European to be granted such an accolade.

The Queen’s notification says it is in recognition of his service to Africa and the African people.

Mr Marrow said this week: “It is an amazing honour to be awarded this title and took me by complete surprise. Queen Diambi will undertake my investiture when she is next able to travel to the UK, hopefully in July, travel restrictions permitting.

“I have been working with Her Majesty, who is a traditional leader and works tirelessly for her people, travelling globally from a base in the United States.

“The Democratic Republic of Congo has suffered enormously from colonial interference and Queen Diambi wants to represent her country and people with a different kind of voice."

Read the full story in this week’s Wellington Weekly News.