Library picture: Eleanor Sharpston is seen at a social event in Luxembourg in June 2011 Maison Moderne archives

Library picture: Eleanor Sharpston is seen at a social event in Luxembourg in June 2011 Maison Moderne archives

To mark the 2021 national day celebrations, the Grand Duke awarded Eleanor Sharpston with the second-most senior rank in the order.

Sharpston responded on Twitter:

“A very happy tweet: as a Luxembourger, I’m delighted and truly honoured to have been made a Grand Officier of the Ordre de Mérite by HRH Grand Duc Henri ahead of our National Day (23 June), in recognition of my work at the CJEU. My team share the credit!”

Sharpston served as one of the 11 advocates general from 11 January 2006 until 10 September 2020. As such she helped to deliver judges conclusions, outlining the state of the law and interpreting EU law in cases before the Court of Justice. She was dismissed when, two days before Britain’s departure from the EU, member states revoked her mandate. The president of the court, Koen Lenaerts, confirmed this decision by declaring her post vacant on 31 January and asking member states to appoint her successor.

Sharpston filed an appeal in April 2020 so that she could complete her term in office, which was due to expire in October 2021. Earlier this month, her appeal was dismissed.

Lawyer and commentator Joshua Rozenberg praised Luxembourg for recognising Sharpston’s contributions and queried why she was “snubbed” by the UK government.

Britons’ rights campaigner national Fiona Godfrey, who was recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours list with an OBE.

Godfrey responded to Sharpston’s award on Twitter saying:

“Glad to see Eleanor Sharpston recognised by Luxembourg in the absence of an honour from the UK. Her work as an AG contributed greatly to the protection and enhancement of EU citizens' rights and their family members and she made thousands of lives safer and better.”