Karen Hilton, MBE

Order of the British Empire

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...

 and Marcus Hilton, MBE are a British dance couple, noted for competing in the disciplines of Ballroom

Ballroom dance

Ballroom dance refers to a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world. Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television....

 and Latin American at both amateur and professional level. They have held a number of championship titles, including the World Professional Ballroom Championship, which they have won nine times representing Great Britain

Great Britain

Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...

. They are patrons of the International Dance Teachers Association

International Dance Teachers Association

The International Dance Teachers Association is a leading dance teaching and examination board based in Brighton, England. Operating internationally, the IDTA is one of the largest dance teaching organisations in the world and currently has over 7,000 members in 55 countries...

 and both work as dance teachers, lecturers and competition judges.

Dance career

The Hiltons first competed together in amateur dance competitions in 1978, achieving Championship titles in the UK for Latin American dance. They also competed in international events, representing Great Britain. In 1980, they took part in the United Kingdom Open Championship, qualifying for the World Amateur Latin American Championships in West Germany

West Germany

West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....

. They represented England at the event, achieving 5th place. They later achieved Championship wins in the European and World Amateur 10 Dance Championships.

The Hiltons became a professional dance couple in 1983, winning their first professional title at the British Rising Star Championship. The couple were married in 1986 and continued to dance professionally whilst giving demonstrations, teaching, lecturing and judging. In June 1997, both Karen and Marcus were awarded Membership of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. They competed professionally until their retirement in 1998, winning numerous Championship titles.

Titles and awards

The following is a complete list of titles and awards won by the Hiltons:

1981-1983 (Amateur)

• 1981 - World Amateur 10 Dance Champions
• 1982 - World Amateur 10 Dance Champions
• 1982 - World Amateur Latin Champions
• 1983 - World Amateur Latin Champions

1986

• World Professional 10 Dance Champions
• European Professional 10 Dance Champions
• World Ballroom Championship - 3rd Place

1989

• World Professional Ballroom Segue Champions
• BDF Award
• USA Open Championship - Winners

1990

• World Ballroom Champions
• European Ballroom Champions
• British Ballroom Champions
• British Open Championship - Winners
• USA Open Championship - Winners
• Norway Open Championship - Winners
• World Cup - Winners

1991

• World Ballroom Champions
• International Champions
• United Kingdom Champions
• USA Open - Winners

1992

• World Champions
• International Champions
• United Kingdom Champions
• British Ballroom Champions
• USA Open - Winners
• BDF Award - Winners

1993

• World Champions
• International Champions
• European Ballroom Champions
• United Kingdom Champions
• German Open - Winners
• USA Open - Winners
• World Trophy - Winners
• World Grand Prix - Winners
• World Classic Show Dance - Winners
• Carl Alan Award Winners
• BDF Award Winners

1994

• World Champions
• International Champions
• European Ballroom Champions
• British Ballroom Champions
• United Kingdom Champions
• USA Open - Winners
• Japanese Open - Winners
• World Classic Show Dance - Winners
• Super World Cup - Winners
• Woman of the Year Rochdale - Karen

1995

• World Champions
• International Champions
• British Ballroom Champions
• United Kingdom Champions
• European Ballroom Champions
• USA Open - winners
• Carl Alan Award
• BDF Award Winners
• Man of the Year Rochdale - Marcus

1996

• World Champions
• International Champions
• British Ballroom Champions
• United Kingdom Champions
• European Ballroom Champions
• USA Open - winners
• Japanese Open - Winners
• BDF Award Winners

1997

• World Champions
• International Champions
• British Ballroom Champions
• United Kingdom Champions
• German Open - Winners
• USA Open - Winners
• UK Open - Winners
• British Open - Winners
• US Open - Winners
• Both Awarded the MBE
  Order of the British Empire
  The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
  
  

1998

• World Champions
• British Ballroom Champions
• United Kingdom Champions
• International Champions
• Carl Alan Award
• BDF Award Winners