On March 14, 2024, Queen’s famed guitarist Brian May was knighted by King Charles at Buckingham Palace. May, who previously performed at the late Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee in 2022 and on the roof of Buckingham Palace for her Golden Jubilee in 2002, was awarded the honor for his services to music and charity.

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Lewis Hamilton -

British Formula One world champion, Lewis Hamilton was knighted by then-Prince Charles at Windsor Castle on December 15 in 2021. He is the only Black driver in Formula One history, and the fourth driver to receive a knighthood. Hamilton was first informed of the decision after he matched the great Michael Schumacher's all-time record of seven championship wins.

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Michael Caine -

The prolific actor was knighted for his contribution to cinema in 2000, the same year that he received a BAFTA fellowship.

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Michael Caine -

He reportedly does not insist on anyone calling him "Sir."

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Elton John -

One of the best-selling music artists of all time, Elton John’s achievements were recognized in 1998 when he received a knighthood for services to music and charity.

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Elton John -

He has been close to the royal family for a long time: he was a good friend of Princess Diana and performed at her funeral in 1997.

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Bill Gates -

In 2005, the man behind Microsoft became one of the select few Americans to be knighted.

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Bill Gates -

He received the honorary knighthood in recognition of the huge sums of money he and his wife have donated to charity.

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Steven Spielberg -

Although his lack of citizenship prevents him from using the title, the award-winning director received an honorary knighthood in 2001.

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Steven Spielberg -

The award was given in recognition of his contribution to the entertainment industry and the British film industry.

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Paul McCartney -

The Beatles member was knighted in March 1997 for his services to music.

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Paul McCartney -

He was greeted by groups of screaming fans at the ceremony, which was also attended by three of his children.

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Mick Jagger -

Much to the disapproval of many, the Rolling Stones front man received a knighthood in 2003.

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Mick Jagger -

He became a "Sir" in the absence of the Queen herself, who reportedly disapproved of his "anti-establishment" views.

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Maggie Smith -

The late English actress had an impressive career and received a damehood back in 1990 for her contribution to the performing arts.

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Maggie Smith -

She also received a Companion of Honour in 2014 for her services to drama.

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Julie Andrews -

The ‘Sound of Music’ star became Dame Julie Andrews in 2000.

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Julie Andrews -

The title was bestowed upon her in recognition of her contribution to music and the arts.

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Angelina Jolie -

Although her lack of British citizenship means she’s unable to use the title, Angelina Jolie received an honorary damehood in 2014.

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Angelina Jolie -

She was recognized not for her contribution to the arts, but for her philanthropic work.

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Ben Kingsley -

The 'Gandhi' actor was knighted in 2002 for his services to the British film industry.

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Ben Kingsley -

The award was announced on December 31, 2001, which was also Kingsley’s 58th birthday.

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Joan Collins -

The 'Dynasty' actress was made a dame by Prince Charles in March 2015.

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Joan Collins -

She received the title in recognition of her services to charity, as she's worked with breast cancer research and children's learning disabilities organizations.

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Kenneth Branagh -

The Oscar-nominated actor from Northern Ireland was knighted in November 2012.

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Kenneth Branagh -

Following the ceremony, he told the BBC that he was "humble, elated, and incredibly lucky" to have been knighted.

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Helen Mirren -

Despite concerns as to whether she should accept the title, the English actress became a dame in 2003 in recognition of her services to drama.

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Helen Mirren -

She felt uneasy about accepting damehood as she felt "sort of anti-establishment."

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Bono -

The Irish musician was honored with a knighthood for his charitable work in 2007.

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Bono -

His title is only honorary, however, since he is an Irish citizen.

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Brian May -

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Lewis Hamilton -

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Michael Caine -

The prolific actor was knighted for his contribution to cinema in 2000, the same year that he received a BAFTA fellowship.

Getty Images

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Michael Caine -

He reportedly does not insist on anyone calling him "Sir."

Getty Images

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Elton John -

One of the best-selling music artists of all time, Elton John’s achievements were recognized in 1998 when he received a knighthood for services to music and charity.

Getty Images

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Elton John -

He has been close to the royal family for a long time: he was a good friend of Princess Diana and performed at her funeral in 1997.

Getty Images

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Bill Gates -

In 2005, the man behind Microsoft became one of the select few Americans to be knighted.

Getty Images

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Bill Gates -

He received the honorary knighthood in recognition of the huge sums of money he and his wife have donated to charity.

Getty Images

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Steven Spielberg -

Although his lack of citizenship prevents him from using the title, the award-winning director received an honorary knighthood in 2001.

Getty Images

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Steven Spielberg -

The award was given in recognition of his contribution to the entertainment industry and the British film industry.

Getty Images

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Paul McCartney -

The Beatles member was knighted in March 1997 for his services to music.

Getty Images

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Paul McCartney -

He was greeted by groups of screaming fans at the ceremony, which was also attended by three of his children.

Getty Images

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Mick Jagger -

Much to the disapproval of many, the Rolling Stones front man received a knighthood in 2003.

Getty Images

13 / 31 Fotos

Mick Jagger -

He became a "Sir" in the absence of the Queen herself, who reportedly disapproved of his "anti-establishment" views.

Getty Images

14 / 31 Fotos

Maggie Smith -

The late English actress had an impressive career and received a damehood back in 1990 for her contribution to the performing arts.

Getty Images

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Maggie Smith -

She also received a Companion of Honour in 2014 for her services to drama.

Getty Images

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Julie Andrews -

The ‘Sound of Music’ star became Dame Julie Andrews in 2000.

Getty Images

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Julie Andrews -

The title was bestowed upon her in recognition of her contribution to music and the arts.

Getty Images

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Angelina Jolie -

Although her lack of British citizenship means she’s unable to use the title, Angelina Jolie received an honorary damehood in 2014.

Getty Images

19 / 31 Fotos

Angelina Jolie -

She was recognized not for her contribution to the arts, but for her philanthropic work.

Getty Images

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Ben Kingsley -

The 'Gandhi' actor was knighted in 2002 for his services to the British film industry.

Getty Images

21 / 31 Fotos

Ben Kingsley -

The award was announced on December 31, 2001, which was also Kingsley’s 58th birthday.

Getty Images

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Joan Collins -

The 'Dynasty' actress was made a dame by Prince Charles in March 2015.

Getty Images

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Joan Collins -

She received the title in recognition of her services to charity, as she's worked with breast cancer research and children's learning disabilities organizations.

Getty Images

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Kenneth Branagh -

The Oscar-nominated actor from Northern Ireland was knighted in November 2012.

Getty Images

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Kenneth Branagh -

Following the ceremony, he told the BBC that he was "humble, elated, and incredibly lucky" to have been knighted.

Getty Images

26 / 31 Fotos

Helen Mirren -

Despite concerns as to whether she should accept the title, the English actress became a dame in 2003 in recognition of her services to drama.

Getty Images

27 / 31 Fotos

Helen Mirren -

She felt uneasy about accepting damehood as she felt "sort of anti-establishment."

Getty Images

28 / 31 Fotos

Bono -

The Irish musician was honored with a knighthood for his charitable work in 2007.

Getty Images

29 / 31 Fotos

Bono -

His title is only honorary, however, since he is an Irish citizen.

Getty Images

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The Knights and Dames of Hollywood

The stars of the highest order

04/03/25 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Famous

In considering the greatest honors people aspire to achieve as recognition for their life's work, being appointed "Sir" or "Dame" by the Queen of England would probably be quite high on the list. It is possible to be appointed a knight or dame no matter your profession, but professions where the award is particularly common include public and political services, education, and the arts.

What's more, the title is not reserved to British nationals. Non-citizens can also receive honorary knight- or damehood. Check out this gallery to see which of our favorite Hollywood stars we should be addressing as "Sir" or "Dame."