The Queen bestows bonus magical gifts on those who she feels have earned them and, to her credit, does not discriminate which section of the community such worthies come from. This is more than what the Council would do - they would ensure no sprite could ever receive any award. There are no formal investitures or anything like that. The Queen announces via FNN when she’ll have her gift bestowing days. They are filmed (though the Queen insists these are not broadcast live in case the recipient of an award objects and FNN are expected not to show that bit - so far all is well as nobody has turned down the prospect of being on FNN!). The Queen is quite generous on this - in most years there are around a dozen Gift Bestowing Days.
Travellers (unless obviously of an evil disposition - and everyone in the Kingdom thinks they can tell) are usually made welcome. The Kingdom is well aware of the Christian story on Earth and want to make sure they don’t turn anyone away they should be in awe of. Sadly this does not apply to members of other magical worlds as the Kingdom has fought the lot in its history (though often the fairy world has been the defender). It is felt friendly magical beings would make it clear they had a good disposition nor would they try to rob the realm of its magical plants and creatures (never considered an act of good will). Gwendolyn was the Kingdom’s most experienced traveller but given the havoc this caused because of the things/people she brought back with her and tried to impose on her own people, it is felt the majority of the Kingdom should be jolly well content to stay at home. Only those on active service for the Queen should be sent anywhere.