18 celebrities who were named knights or dames by the British royal family

Frank OlitoJun 29, 2021, 21:54 IST

Angelina Jolie is among the celebrities honored by the royal family.WPA Pool / Getty

The Queen can honor people who've achieved something extraordinary with a knighthood - men get the title Sir, while women get Dame.
Anthony Hopkins, Bono, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Paul McCartney have all been knighted.
Meanwhile, Emma Thompson, Anna Wintour, and Judi Dench are dames.

Judi Dench has long been recognized by the British royal family for her work, but she officially became a dame in 1988.

Judi Dench and Queen Elizabeth. Pool/Tim Graham Picture Library / Getty

Long before she was Professor McGonagall in the "Harry Potter" franchise, Maggie Smith was named a dame in 1989.

Queen Elizabeth and Maggie Smith. Tim Graham / Getty

Ian McKellen was knighted in 1991, three years after coming out as gay.

Ian McKellen. J. Vespa / Getty

In 1993, Anthony Hopkins was knighted, but he renounced the title seven years later.

Anthony Hopkins. Ron Galella, Ltd. / Getty Images

Paul McCartney was knighted in 1997 for his service to music.

Queen Elizabeth and Paul McCartney. Pool/Tim Graham Picture Library / Getty

Sir Elton John earned his knighthood title in 1998.

Elton John and Queen Elizabeth. WPA Pool / Getty

In 2000, Queen Elizabeth made Elizabeth Taylor a dame.

Elizabeth Taylor at her ceremony. Fiona Hanson - PA Images / Getty

At the same ceremony as Elizabeth Taylor, Julie Andrews was also named a dame.

Julie Andrews and Elizabeth Taylor. PA Images / Getty

Michael Caine received the honor of knighthood under his real name in 2000.

Michael Caine after receiving his knighthood. FIONA HANSON / Getty

Ben Kingsley accepted his knighthood in 2002 and said he finally felt embraced.

Ben Kingsley. Theo Wargo/Getty Images for NBC

In 2003, the Queen made Helen Mirren a dame, just three years before Mirren played the monarch in an Oscar-winning role.

Helen Mirren meeting Queen Elizabeth. WPA Pool / Getty

That same year, the Queen refused to give Mick Jagger his knighthood, so Prince Charles gave it to the musician instead.

Prince Charles and Mick Jagger. PA Images / Getty

Bill Gates became an honorary knight in 2005 thanks to his charity work.

Bill Gates and Queen Elizabeth. Getty Images

In 2007, Bono became a knight, but people can't call him "Sir."

Bono. FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images

Prince William knighted Daniel Day-Lewis in 2014.

Daniel Day-Lewis. Getty Images

That same year, Angelina Jolie received honorary damehood.

Queen Elizabeth and Angelina Jolie. WPA Pool / Getty

In 2017, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour was named a dame for her work in fashion and journalism.

Anna Wintour with her honors. WPA Pool / Getty

Emma Thompson wore sneakers to her dame ceremony in 2018.

Emma Thompson with her honors. STEVE PARSONS / Getty

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