What does the cryptic crossword clue "Royal awards ceremony's ending in hour: Britons had to be decorated (8,7)" mean?

The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). BIRTHDAY (synonym="BIRTHDAY") + HONOURS (synonym="awards announced by the Monarch at the time of his/her official BIRTHDAY") = BIRTHDAYHONOURS The answer is BIRTHDAYHONOURS.

Royal awards ceremony's ending in hour: Britons had to be decorated (8,7)

Guardian Cryptic #28900 | 24 Across | 2022-10-28 flower

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