Tech billionaire Bill Gates and his wife Melinda Gates.Some notable Americans who have received Honorary Knighthoods or Damehoods include: Americans Who Received Honorary KnighthoodsĪmerican citizens have been receiving honorary knighthoods from other countries for well over a century.Įven though America is a Republic, and as such, has no official monarchy of its own, the people of America who have contributed significantly to the well-being of other countries of the world have often been recognised with an honorary title to reflect ly and acknowledge their worthy works or lifelong service.įor example, a number of American Presidents have received Honorary Knighthoods from Britain in recognition of the mutual support and alliance the two nations have enjoyed over the centuries.īill & Melinda Gates – Kjetil Ree, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commonsīeyond the loftiest roles in politics and governance, many American citizens from a variety of professions and industries have also been recognised for their great works, such industries include The Arts, Science, Entrepreneurship, Commerce, Environmental Issues, Peace-keeping, and Charitable Works. Instead, they are entitled to use certain letters after their name, indicating the order of merit, such as KBE (Knight of the British Empire) or DBE (Dame of the British Empire). However, a non-British citizen who receives a knighthood or Damehood is not officially allowed to use the Sir or Dame title. There is also a difference in how recipients can style their titles.Ī British citizen granted a knighthood or Damehood is entitled to style themselves as Sir or Dame. So in the example of the British New Year Honors List, eligible British candidates would receive a Knighthood, and eligible non-British citizens would receive an Honorary Knighthood. The difference between a knighthood and an honorary knighthood relates solely to the nationality of the recipient. These distinguished and highly regarded honors are only ever awarded to a select number of candidates, and these individuals must have proven an outstanding contribution or service of some kind, that benefits the county issuing the award, or that serves humanity in general. In terms of recognition and merit, the awarding and criteria of a Knighthood or Damehood is the same, regardless of which country the citizen belongs to. What’s The Difference Between A Knighthood And An Honorary Knighthood? Similarly, if an American woman was identified as a candidate for a Damehood from another country or monarch, the award would be classed as an Honorary Damehood. in politics, science, charity or the arts, their award would be classed as an Honorary Knighthood. In such cases, these awards are referred to as honorary awards, and so in the case of a knighthood being granted to someone who was not a subject of the sovereign, it would be called an Honorary Knighthood.įor example, if an American man was a candidate for a knighthood from the Queen of England, in recognition of their contribution or services to society, e.g.
It’s also possible for citizens of other countries to be awarded honors from the British Queen or from any of the other few remaining Orders of Knights around the world that still grant these esteemed and noteworthy titles. The subjects of Britain and the Commonwealth who receive the relevant award are then officially allowed to style themselves as a Sir (for men) or a Dame (for women).
One of the most famous instances of this modern practice is the New Year Honours List announced each year in Britain, where the Queen of England grants a number of noble titles such as knighthoods and damehoods to notable people from all walks of life. In a few countries around the world, it is still possible to become a knight, by attaining recognition and merit from the various monarchs or heads of state who have the right to grant a knighthood. Though the rank and title of Knight does still exist in today’s social hierarchies, it is more of a reference to aristocracy or achievement than to a brave and gallant way of life. In modern times, the role of a knight is a world away from the armour-clad cavalrymen of history, renowned as much for their manners as their military prowess. The great Orders of Knights that evolved during the Middle Ages are one of the last vestiges of the ancient realm of knightly chivalry and valiant virtue associated with this unique noble status.
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