Top Ten Famous People Who Have Been Knighted

Being knighted is one of the highest honors that a person can receive. Several celebrities have been knighted for their contributions to music, film, theatre, and charity work. Honorary knighthoods can be bestowed on deserving foreign candidates in exceptional circumstances.

Posted On June 9th, 2021

Elton John

Queen Elizabeth II knighted Elton John in 1998 for his outstanding contributions to music and charity. Elton John has transformed music, sold hundreds of millions of albums, and donated vast sums to charities during his illustrious career.

Bill Gates

Bill Gates, the billionaire chairman of Microsoft, was awarded an honorary knighthood for his charitable work and for founding the world's most successful software company. The Queen mentioned computers, which she does not use, during the brief ceremony when the KBE insignia was presented to Mr. Gates.

Sean Connery

Sean Connery, the veteran James Bond actor, was knighted by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, two years after he was reportedly denied a knighthood due to his passionate Scottish nationalism. He was nominated for a knighthood in 1997 and 1998, but these nominations were reportedly vetoed by Donald Dewar due to Connery's political views.

Paul McCartney

In 1997, Paul McCartney became the first Beatle to be knighted. Paul McCartney, a former member of the most successful rock band in history, The Beatles, is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his "services to music." London.

Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill's formal name is Winston Leonard Spencer. On April 24, 1953, Queen Elizabeth II knighted Winston Churchill, the British leader who led the United Kingdom and the Allies through the World War II crisis.

Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan was elevated to the rank of Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath. Queen Elizabeth II bestowed this knighthood upon him. Mr Reagan was the 58th person in American history to be awarded an honorary knighthood.

Charlie Chaplin

On March 4, 1975, at the age of 85, silent film star Charlie Chaplin was knighted. This king of comedy was knighted at Buckingham Palace, which is just minutes away from the slum where he grew up, for films such as The Kid and The Great Dictator, as well as his iconic mustache and top hat.

Michael Caine

Queen Elizabeth knighted actor Michael Caine in recognition of his services to drama, but there was some confusion about what to call him afterwards. He was knighted using his given name rather than his stage name, so officially he is known as Sir Maurice Joseph Micklewhite.

Patrick Stewart

Queen Elizabeth II knighted Sir Patrick Stewart in 2010 for his contributions to drama. He started his acting career with the Royal Shakespeare Company and went on to have successful careers in both England and America.

Christopher Lee

Lee was knighted in 2009 for his contributions to drama and charity. Lee wrote several books, including an autobiography titled Tall, Dark, and Gruesome (1977; rereleased in 2003 as Lord of Misrule). Also, in 2001, he was appointed a Commander of the British Empire (CBE).