Can non-British citizens get knighted? Yes, but it has its own rules. Notable non-Brits are only eligible for something called “honorary knighthoods”, which allows them to use the post-nominal letters -such as KBE or DBE- but not the tiles of Sir or Dame.
UK Honours for Commonwealth Citizens
With the permission of the relevant government, the UK Government can recommend Commonwealth citizens for UK honours. The recipient will usually receive their honour in their home country by their Governor-General (The Queen's representative in that country).
Unlike other foreign citizens, citizens of Commonwealth realms appointed knight or dame of a British order are entitled to use the titles "Sir" or "Dame", and use the relevant post nominal. The UK government does not recognize Australian knighthoods as giving entitlement to use these titles in the UK, however.
Only male British citizens can be knighted. Other nationalities can be honoured in other ways, like Bob Geldoff, but they cannot be knighted.
You can nominate anyone doing impactful work in their profession, for charity or in the sciences for a knighthood. They need to be British (or a British resident) to receive the full award with the titles of 'Dame' or 'Sir'. If they're not British, then they will get an honorary award.
Stephen Hawking CH CBE, physicist, reportedly turned down a knighthood because he "does not like titles." Bill Hayden, Governor-General of Australia. Patrick Heron, artist, declined a knighthood allegedly over the education policy of the government in the 1980s.
A knighthood is a title given to a male by the Queen for achievements or service to the country, while a damehood is awarded to females. These ranks entitle recipients to use the title of Sir or Dame before their forename.
An honorary award is one made to a person who is not a citizen of a Commonwealth realm. He or she cannot use the pre-nominal style of 'Sir' or 'Dame', but can use the post-nominal letters (after their names), subject to the prevailing conventions in his or her own country.
On this day in 1998, Elton John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight) became Sir Elton John, knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. He was awarded the title of Knight Bachelor for "services to music and charitable services".
Sir is used to address a man who has the rank of baronet or knight; the higher nobles are referred to as Lord. Lady is used when referring to women who hold certain titles: marchioness, countess, viscountess, or baroness.
Unless you are a school student, we don't. Teachers are addressed as “Sir” or “Miss”. Prison officers are usually called “Chief” or “Miss”. “Sir” has long been dropped.
Sir David Attenborough has received a second knighthood, over three decades after he received his first.
Order of the British Empire
Formal knighthood is definitely the easiest. The Queen remains fairly neutral in political matters, so she chooses to not elect her own knights and appoints everyone chosen by the Cabinet Office twice a year.
Whilst we can't sell you a knighthood, if you'd like to become a sir or a dame for show purposes, Elite Titles makes it easy... First, choose either the Seated or Non-seated options. Next, purchase your new "title" from us.
Your honour can be withdrawn (or 'forfeited') for a variety of reasons. This might include being found guilty of a criminal offence, behaviour which results in censure by a regulatory or a professional body, or any other behaviour that is deemed to bring the honours system into disrepute.
Mick Jagger (GBE)
The Rolling Stones frontman was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II on Dec. 12, 2003.
Why hasn't David Beckham received a knighthood? The reason the footballing legend previously hadn't received a knighthood was due to an issue with HM Customs and Revenue. David was deemed ineligible for the honour after he was linked to a tax avoidance scheme over 10 years ago.
The other three Beatles kept their MBEs: in 1997 Paul McCartney was knighted for services to music; Ringo Starr received the same honour in 2018. George Harrison said no to an OBE in 2000 because he reportedly thought he should have been knighted like his bandmate Sir Paul. He died the following year.
She granted honorary knighthoods, the only award that non-British citizens are eligible for, to those who contributed to science, fashion, military service and arts, among other fields. Here are the over a dozen Americans who were knighted by the queen throughout her reign which began after her coronation in 1953.
About Honorary Knighthoods
Previous US citizens receiving honorary knighthoods include former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush, former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, US Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, and entertainer Bob Hope.
Gates has been awarded the title KBE, or Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, for his contribution to enterprise, employment, education and the voluntary sector in the U.K., and for his efforts to reduce poverty in the developing world, including parts of the British Commonwealth.
Wife of a knight (courtesy titles)
The wife of a knight may use the courtesy title of “Lady” before her surname, provided she uses her husband's surname. For example, the wife of Sir John Smith is: Lady Smith.
Dame/Knight Grand Cross (GBE)
Grand Cross is the highest class in many of the Orders.
The title Dame as the female equivalent to a Knight wasn't introduced until 1917 (although of course there were female Knights before this). This sir/dame title is a very respected and highly sought after title throughout the united kingdom, and it would be an honour to bestow this sir title on those who deserve it.