People

Famous People Who Have Been Knighted

Here we present a list of famous people who have been knighted, ranked by fame and popularity by fans of British chivalry, like you. Being knighted is one of the highest honors that an individual can hope to receive. A variety of famous people have been knighted for their contributions to music, film, theater, and charity work. In special cases, honorary knighthoods can be bestowed upon worthy candidates from foreign countries. Who is the most famous person who has been knighted? Ronald Reagan tops our list. Reagan received an honorary knighthood in 1989 from Queen Elizabeth II. After the ceremony, Reagan stated, “I feel greatly honored. I can't say how proud I am.” Four years after Reagan received the honor, his vice president and President at the time, George H.W. Bush, also received the honorary knighthood. Other "Sirs" knighted in England include Sean Connery, Bono, and Michael Caine. Several famous musicians have been knighted. English super star Paul McCartney was given the honor in 1997 and Elton John was knighted the following year. Actors Ben Kingsley and Patrick Stewart have also received the great honor of knighthood, as has the master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock. The French have also bestowed honorary knighthoods upon recipients, including two American actors of classic and modern cinema, Clint Eastwood and Robert De Niro. What do you think of the famous people who have been knighted?

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#1Currently leadingSteve McQueen

1
Steve McQueen
Director Steve McQueen has been knighted, and will now be known in the UK as Sir Steve McQueen. McQueen became the first Black filmmaker to win an Oscar for best picture for his film 12 Years a Slave. That film also earned him a BAFTA and Golden Globe. McQueen is also known for the film Shame, which won a BAFTA for outstanding British film, as well as his series Small Axe, which is about the lives of West Indian immigrants to London in the 1960s to 1980s. "Congratulations Sir Steve McQueen! The Oscar, @BAFTA, and Golden Globe winning director today received his Knighthood from The Princess Royal during an Investiture Ceremony at Windsor Castle," read a tweet from the official The Royal Family Twitter account on March 15, 2022. Queen Elizabeth II's daughter Princess Anne stepped in to do the honors.
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Lewis Hamilton
Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton was knighted on December 30, 2020, as part of Queen Elizabeth II's New Year's honors list. The honor was due to both his success on the track as well as his activism relating to the Black Lives Matter movement.
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3
Sean Connery
In 2000, Sean Connery was knighted by the Queen. Connery is a firm supporter of Scotland's Independence and it is believed that this stance caused a delay in his knighthood.
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Robert Redford
In 2010, Robert Redford was knighted and inducted into France's elite Legion of Honor by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
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Bill Gates
In 2005, Queen Elizabeth II bestowed an honorary knighthood on Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
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6
Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood was made a commander in the prestigious French Legion of Honor in 2009 by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
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7
Michael Caine
In 2000, Michael Caine was knighted by the Queen for his services to the British screen.
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8
Bob Hope
Bob Hope was given an honorary knighthood for his work supporting the troops of various wars with his comedy and entertainment.
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9
Paul McCartney
Queen Elizabeth II knighted Paul McCartney in 1997 because he helped to revolutionize pop music.
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10
Patrick Stewart
In 2010, Captain Jean Luc Picard became Sir Patrick Stewart.
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11
Ronald Reagan
President Ronald Reagan was made an honorary knight by Queen Elizabeth II in 1989.
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12
Kenneth Branagh
In 2012, Kenneth Branagh was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
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13
Bob Geldof
In 1986, Bob Geldof was given an honorary knighthood by the Queen for his humanitarian effors associated with the Live Aid concert.
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14
Elton John
In 1998, Elton John became a Sir when he was knighted by the Queen.
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Salman Rushdie
In 2008, Salman Rushdie was knighted by the Queen.
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16
Bono
In 2007, Bono became a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. The title is honorary because Bono isn't a citizen of England.
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George H. W. Bush
In 1993, President George H.W. Bush was given an honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II.
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Charlie Chaplin
In 1975, silent film star Charlie Chaplin was knighted at the age of 85.
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Robert De Niro
In 1977, Robert De Niro was inducted into France's elite Legion of Honor.
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20
Mick Jagger
In 2002, Mick Jagger was knighted after being nominated by Prime Minister Tony Blair. The Queen did not perform the ceremony as she did not care for Jagger's anti-establishment views.
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21
Ian McKellen
In 1991, Ian McKellen was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
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22
Laurence Olivier
In 1947, Laurence Olivier was knighted. He was the youngest actor to receive the honor.
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23
Alec Guinness
Alec Guinness was knighted in 1959, long before he thrilled moviegoers as Obi-Wan Kenobi in "Star Wars."
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24
Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis was appointed an honorary knighthood as Chevalier of the Legion of Honor in 1966.
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25
Alfred Hitchcock
In 1980, Alfred Hitchcock was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
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Sidney Poitier
In 1973, Sidney Poitier was made Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
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Tom Jones
In 2006, Tom Jones was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
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Roger Moore
In 2003, Roger Moore was knighted for his charity work.
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Ben Kingsley
In 2001, Ben Kingsley was made a Knight Bachelor by Queen Elizabeth II.
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30
Michael Gambon
Prince Charles knighted Michael Gambon at a ceremony in 1998.
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Michael Redgrave
Michael Redgrave was knighted in 1959.
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Richard Attenborough
Richard Attenborough was made a Knight Bachelor in 1976.
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George Martin
Beatles producer George Martin was knighted in 1996.
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Henry Irving
Henry Irving was the first actor to ever be knighted in 1895.
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David Attenborough
David Attenborough has been knighted twice for his service in television broadcasting and conservation—first in 1985 and again in 2020, at the age of 94.
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Ringo Starr
In March 2018, Ringo Starr was knighted by the Duke of Cambridge to honor his service to music.
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37
Barry Gibb
In June 2018, Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees was knighted by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace for his contributions to music and charity. See the post on the Royal Family's Instagram.
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38
Idris Elba
In 2026, Idris Elba was knighted in recognition of his contributions to drama and charity. He received the honor at Buckingham Palace, with Prince William standing in for the King during the ceremony. Elba’s knighthood came after years of acclaimed performances and tireless work supporting young people in the UK.
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