"We've responded quickly to something that has obviously concerned British voters, sorry, people for some considerable time," said PM David Cameron speaking outside no 10 last night after MPs and Peers rushed through The Honours Act 2012.
The Act, which received Royal Assent at two o'clock this morning - a still drowsy Queen wielding the official quill pen - revolutionises the Knighthood and Damehood naming procedure.
Henceforth, Sir and Dame will become Him and Her. And no longer will honours recipients head to Buckingham Palace to see Her Majesty. Those granted MBEs and OBEs will simply receive a scroll in the post with "Well Done Indeed" inscribed upon it.
"It'll take some getting used to but we feel the new system reflects the more egalitarian atmosphere that some say abounds in the land," said Mr Cameron, adding: "And it's cheaper."
Reaction to the new rules has been mixed. Racing champion Sir Jackie Stewart, now Him Jackie, isn't happy. "This is like an April fool. Tell me it's not happening."
Dame Joan Bakewell, or Her Joan, disagreed. "I'm prepared to go along with anything nice Mr Cameron says. I love a strong man."
Former PM Him John Major remarked that his government had considered a similar move twenty years ago. "The idea came to me one day in the bath and immediately Home Secretary Edwina Currie agreed with me."
The Peerage system will be next to change with elected peers being dubbed Lad and Lass accordingly.