(12-28-2006) Queen's knighthood for Bono - CNN*

[HelloAngel]

Queen's knighthood for Bono


Ed. Note -- I know you all have already read about this. I apologize for the delay. Holiday travels = no internet access this year.


LONDON, England (CNN) -- Bono -- the Irish rock star, anti-poverty campaigner, and philanthropist -- has been awarded an honorary British knighthood, the British Embassy in Dublin said on Saturday.

"The British Embassy in Dublin takes great pleasure in announcing that 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," according to an embassy news release.

The British ambassador to Ireland, David Reddaway, is to give Bono -- a member of the rock group U2 -- an "insignia of this honorary award" after New Year's in a ceremony in the Irish capital.

The embassy pointed out that titles such as "Sir" or "Dame" do not come with such honorary awards, "conferred on citizens of countries of which The Queen is not Head of State."

Bono is an Irish citizen. Bob Geldof, the Irish rock star who organized the Live Aid concerts, got the same award in 1986.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the award is well-deserved for Bono's "remarkable" humanitarian work and for his "outstanding contribution" to music with U2.

"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.

"But I feel a little more qualified to talk about your personal commitment to tackling global poverty and, in particular, to Africa," Blair said in a letter to Bono posted on the prime minister's office Web site.

"I want personally to thank you for the invaluable role you played in the run up to the Gleneagles G8 Summit.

"Without your personal contribution, we could not have achieved the results we did. So thank you and I look forward to continuing to work together to maintain momentum on Africa, and ensure leaders around the world meet the promises they have made."

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/12/23/bono.knighthood/

 

[Carek1230]

Congratulations, Mr. Hewson! Well deserved.

 

[wizard2c]

Yes...well deserved......can we call him Sir Bono or not?

Wow......links as well!

 

[Nube Gris]

yes we will
Sir Bono

 

[lady luck]

I'm ok with that but.. what's the use of this title???

 

[Slipstream]

^^^ Knighthood is a symbolic title of honour that is given to people from all walks of life that have done outstanding things, achievements, or contributions to their respected fields of work, charity, etc.

Within the Commonwealth of Realms(countries with the Queen as head of state) such a thing as knighthood carries extreme respect but outside Commonwealth Realms it has less dignity.

There is different levels of knighthood. Some of them are selected by private bodies, government ministries or the public and is sent to the Prime Minister where the PM approves it or not. It is then sent to the monarch for final approval where the monarch has to approve it.
Why the monarch has to approve it is because the PM did, and to do otherwise would create a constitutional crisis. But that is another story. The monarch awards certain levels of knighthood as her own personal gift and needs no others approval on awarding. Knighthood is not hereditary.

As for Bono? What's the use of his title you ask? First of all it's an award, or symbolic title, like any other award but this award is an ancient one steeped in history which garners alot of respect. People are awarded things like this all the time, Oscars, Grammys, Nobel prizes, etc. His knighthood is honorary and therefore he cannot use the prefix Sir with his name as he is not a citizen of Britain or the Commonwealth(depending on which one).

He will also not be going to London to go through a traditional ceremony. He will be handed his award by the UK Ambassador in Dublin. I hope this answers your question.

 

[forbonou2]

Well, it's ABouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut time!! lol! Bono definetly deserves this honor!!