Ever wondered what it’s like to be an actor, a rock legend, and also rub shoulders with royalty? For some celebrities, this isn’t just a daydream! The British royal family has a long-standing tradition of awarding honorific titles, part of the Order of the British Empire. This practice, spanning centuries, recognizes outstanding service, loyalty, or gallantry.
In recent times, many familiar faces from the world of entertainment and beyond have been honored. Men are often knighted, becoming ‘Sir’, while women are made ‘Dames’. These accolades celebrate contributions that have made a significant impact. You might be surprised by some of the individuals on our list, which includes authors, directors, and music icons. Let’s explore this fascinating group of celebrities who share the unique distinction of holding a royal title. While they may not be jousting anytime soon, their achievements are certainly worthy of recognition.
10 Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie is a multifaceted personality. As the daughter of renowned actor Jon Voight, she has carved her own path with celebrated acting skills, her past relationship with Brad Pitt, and a strong commitment to charitable causes. In 2014, her significant work as both an actor and philanthropist earned her the title of Honorary Dame. Queen Elizabeth II herself presented this honor at Buckingham Palace. The specific title was Honorary Dame Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George.
The royal family acknowledged Jolie’s dedication to combating war-zone sexual violence. She co-chaired the End Sexual Violence in Conflict (ESVC) global summit in 2014, showcasing her compassion and generosity. This damehood is a testament to her impactful work, a significant addition to her many accomplishments.
9 Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger, the legendary frontman of The Rolling Stones, is an icon of rock and roll. His knighthood in 2003 was met with some public surprise, partly due to his rock star lifestyle—marked by arrests and a rebellious image often seen as clashing with royal traditions. His band itself embodies an anti-establishment spirit.
Despite this, Jagger accepted the title. Queen Elizabeth II knighted him, though Prince Charles reportedly had reservations. Even Jagger’s bandmate, Keith Richards, famously questioned the knighthood, stating it wasn’t in line with The Rolling Stones’ ethos, having turned down an honor himself. Nevertheless, “Sir Mick” officially joined the ranks of knights, proving that sometimes, you can get what you want, even if it’s a royal title.
8 J.K. Rowling
J.K. Rowling, the creative mind behind the beloved Harry Potter series, is one of the world’s most celebrated authors. Her work has spawned a massively successful movie franchise, and interestingly, two actors from these films also hold royal titles.
Rowling herself has received three significant honors. The British royal family awarded her an Order of the British Empire (OBE) and a Companion of Honour. Her OBE recognized her extensive work with charitable organizations, including Lumos, which she founded, and the Volant Charitable Trust, primarily focused on women and children. In 2012, France also honored her, with then-President Nicolas Sarkozy knighting her for her literary contributions. Notably, Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix was the first English book to top bestseller lists in France.
7 Helena Bonham Carter
Helena Bonham Carter is a highly respected actress, known for her unique portrayals in films like Fight Club, Alice in Wonderland, and the Harry Potter series. Her talent has graced many iconic movies over the years.
In 2010, she masterfully played Queen Elizabeth in The King’s Speech. While an Oscar nomination followed, a perhaps more distinct honor came in 2011 when she was awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). She dedicated this award, given for her services to drama, to her late father. Following this, Bonham Carter was appointed to Britain’s National Holocaust Commission, another significant recognition of her standing.
6 Maggie Smith
Dame Maggie Smith is an English acting legend with a career starting in the early 1950s. Globally, many know her as Professor Minerva McGonagall from the Harry Potter films, the stern but fair head of Gryffindor house.
Long before the world of Hogwarts, Maggie Smith was already a Dame, having received this honor in 1990. Her contributions didn’t stop there. In 2014, after the conclusion of the Harry Potter movie series, she was awarded another prestigious title, Companion of Honour (CH). This award recognizes individuals who have made a sustained, major contribution to the arts, sciences, medicine, or government. Given her acting career spans over seven decades and continues, she is undoubtedly a deserving recipient.
5 Steven Spielberg
If you enjoy movies, chances are you’ve been captivated by at least one Steven Spielberg film. He stands as one of the most influential and successful directors in cinematic history, with blockbusters like Jurassic Park, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Saving Private Ryan, and Schindler’s List to his name.
In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the film industry, Spielberg received an honorary knighthood from the British royal family in 2000. It’s important to note that only British citizens can officially be ‘Sir’ or ‘Dame’, so many international recipients hold honorary titles. Nevertheless, as a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE), Spielberg is recognized for his immense impact, a well-deserved honor for a man of countless cinematic achievements.
4 Bill Gates
Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, was recognized not for his technological empire, but for his extensive philanthropic work post-retirement. Gates has spearheaded numerous charitable initiatives globally, including significant efforts in British Commonwealth nations. His focus has been on improving employment, enterprise, education, and fostering volunteer work.
His larger goal is to alleviate poverty in developing countries, often leveraging technological advancements. For these considerable efforts, Bill Gates was awarded an honorary knighthood, a KBE (Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire). As a non-British citizen, he isn’t addressed as “Sir Bill Gates,” but can use the post-nominal letters KBE. It’s truly inspiring to see someone with such vast resources dedicated to bettering lives worldwide.
3 Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis boasts an impressive acting career, famous for roles in the Halloween saga and Freaky Friday. She also hails from “Hollywood royalty”; her father was the famed actor Tony Curtis, and her mother, Janet Leigh, starred in Hitchcock’s classic Psycho.
However, Jamie Lee Curtis also holds an official title of nobility through marriage. She is married to Christopher Guest, who holds the title Baron Haden-Guest. When Guest’s father passed away in 1996, the barony was inherited by Christopher. This means Jamie Lee Curtis is not only a star of the silver screen but also a real-life Baroness. It’s quite a unique combination of Tinseltown legacy and aristocratic standing.
2 Elton John
Sir Elton John is a global music phenomenon whose songs are cherished worldwide. Growing up in suburban London, he rose to international stardom not only for his musical genius but also for his openness about his sexuality, coming out as bisexual in 1975. In 1998, he became the first openly gay individual to be knighted.
Elton John has made vast contributions to numerous charities, most notably through the Elton John AIDS Foundation. He received a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for his dedicated work with this foundation spanning over 15 years. Despite his sometimes flamboyant persona, the knighthood clearly held profound meaning for him, as he attended the ceremony with his parents and partner. With six Grammys, an Oscar, and a Golden Globe, the title “Sir Elton John” is another remarkable accolade in his illustrious career.
1 Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton, one of the most successful Formula One racing drivers in history, is the most recent knight on our list. In 2021, after narrowly missing out on a record-breaking eighth world title, Hamilton received a knighthood just three days later. The ceremony took place at Windsor Castle in December of that year, with the Prince of Wales bestowing the honor.
This made Hamilton the first Grand Prix driver to be knighted while still actively competing. At only 36 years old at the time, with his mother proudly in attendance, this knighthood was undoubtedly a significant moment. While missing the eighth title was surely a disappointment, becoming “Sir Lewis Hamilton” is certainly a prestigious and worthy achievement for the racing superstar.
These ten individuals, celebrated in their respective fields, also share the distinction of royal recognition. From Hollywood to the racetrack, their contributions have clearly not gone unnoticed by one of the world’s oldest monarchies. It showcases a fascinating intersection of modern celebrity and historical tradition.
Which of these celebrity honors surprised you the most? Do you know of other famous figures with royal titles? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
