Good Knight, Bono
What to get the guy who has everything for Christmas? For Queen Elizabeth II, it was easy: She gave Bono a knighthood.
The U2 frontman, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, campaigner for Third World aid and all around good soul was bestowed an honorary knighthood Saturday.
Or, as the British Embassy in Ireland put it: “Her Majesty the Queen has appointed Bono to be an honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in recognition of his services to the music industry and for his humanitarian work.”
While the Dubliner won’t technically be called “Sir Bono”—the title is reserved for British citizens—and slapped on the shoulder with the queen’s sword, he seemed genuinely touched by the gesture.
In a statement on u2.com, the band reports Bono is “very flattered to be honored, particularly if the honor…opens doors for his long-standing campaigning work against extreme poverty in Africa.”
Honorary knighthoods are awarded to non-Brits who have had a marked influence on the U.K. Bono joins a list that includes fellow activist Irish rocker
Bob Geldof, who was honored in 1986 following his Live Aid fundraising concerts, and who recently worked with Bono to set up the Live 8 concerts,
Steven Spielberg,
Bill Gates, Spanish opera singer Placido Domingo, Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Bono’s résumé is already chock full of similar accolades for his musical oeuvre and good works. A 22-time Grammy winner, the outspoken 46-year-old was named Time’s Person of the year in 2005 (sharing it with Bill and Melinda Gates) and he received France’s Legion of Honor in 2003. He’s also been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister, who recommends who should be honored to the queen, got in on the act, stating on his Website, www.pm.gov.uk, that he was delighted Bono had chosen to accept the award, which was announced earlier than the general list of New Year’s honors.
“I’ll leave it to others far more knowledgeable than me to talk about U2’s music. All I’ll say is that, along with millions of others right across the world, I am a huge fan,” gushed Blair, who in his student days played in rock band.
Some of the British media were not so delighted, claiming the Bono knighthood was just another example of Blair dishing out awards to his celeb chums, and that there were many others better deserving of recognition.
The right-leaning Evening Standard quoted ex-Conservative minister Anne Widdecombe saying, “I fail to understand why Bono should be singled out for an early announcement when the honors list is full of people who have worked hard. It is demeaning to them and is a typical New Labour manipulated news stunt.”
Even Labour politician Andrew Mackinlay said, “I’m amazed at the way anti-establishment rock stars fall over each other to pick up gongs [British slang for knighthoods].”
In a letter to Bono, released Saturday, Blair said the singer’s lobbying had forced wealthy nations to focus on increasing aid to Africa.
“I know from talking to you how much these causes matter to you,” Blair wrote. “I know as well how knowledgeable you are about the problems we face and how determined you are to do all you can to help overcome them. You have tirelessly used your voice to speak up for Africa.”
Blair said he hoped they could “work together to maintain momentum on Africa, and ensure leaders around the world meet the promises they have made.”
There were also published reports that the Irish government had to approve of Bono’s honor—a diplomatically sensitive issue because Irish officials are legally barred from receiving British royal honors and other Irish nationals have refused nominations on political grounds.
The investiture will take place in Dublin sometime early in the New Year. The British ambassador to Ireland, David Reddaway, will do the honors.
Copyright © 2006 E! Online, Inc.
