Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was voted the 2013 winner of the Chatham House Prize by the think-tank on Wednesday for her work in promoting "a new era of US diplomatic engagement".

The London-based body said Clinton, who stood down this year after four years as the top US diplomat, was given the award "in recognition of her personal leadership in driving a new era of US diplomatic engagement and for her particular focus on promoting education and rights for women and girls".

Clinton, who is seen as the clear Democratic frontrunner for president, will be presented with the award at a ceremony in London later this year.

Previous winners include Myanmar democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi and Brazil's former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.