26 celebrities who have been knighted
Many British actors, performers and other entertainers have been knighted through the years. Here's a look at few notable celebrities who have received the honor.
Barry Gibb
Singer and songwriter Barry Gibb talks with Prince Charles, left, during an Investiture ceremony to award a knighthood to Gibb, at Buckingham Palace in London, Tuesday June 26, 2018. (Dominic Lipinski/PA via AP)
Ringo Starr
Musician Ringo Starr, poses for photographers after being awarded a knighthood, during an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, in London, Tuesday March 20, 2018. (John Stillwell/Pool Photo via AP)
Rod Stewart
Veteran singer Sir Rod Stewart arriving at Buckingham Palace in London, with his wife, Penny Lancaster and children Alastair and Aiden, ahead of him receiving his knighthood in recognition of his services to music and charity, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016. (Gareth Fulller/Pool Photo via AP)
Van Morrison
Van Morrison was knighted in 2016. He's shown here as he accepts the Johnny Mercer Award at the 46th Annual Songwriters Hall Of Fame Induction and Awards Gala at the Marriott Marquis on Thursday, June 18, 2015, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Daniel Day-Lewis
Daniel Day-Lewis was knighted in 2014. He's shown here as he accepts the award for best actor in a leading role for "Lincoln" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
John Hurt
In this Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014 file photo, British actor John Hurt poses for photographers during the premiere of the film The Imitation Game, at the Odeon in Leicester Square, central London. Veteran actor John Hurt, star of "The Naked Civil Servant," "The Elephant Man" and "Alien," was made a knight in Queen Elizabeth's New Year's honours list. (AP Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP, File)
Patrick Stewart
Actor Sir Patrick Stewart poses with his award after he was Knighted by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, June 2, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Christopher Lee
British actor Sir Christopher Lee received his knighthood in 2009. He's shown here being photographed before his interview with APTN, at the AP office in north London, Friday March 5, 2010 (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)
Tom Jones
Singing legend Tom Jones, right, is greeted by the state porter as he arrives at Buckingham Palace in central London to receive his knighthood from Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, Wednesday March 29, 2006.(AP Photo/ Andrew Parsons/Pool)
Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger was knighted in 2003. He's shown here as he performs during the Licks world tour 2002-2003, in New York, Monday, Sept. 30, 2002. (AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano)
Roger Moore
Actor Sir Roger Moore and his wife Kristina pose with his Knighthood at London's Buckingham Palace, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2003. The 75-year-old was knighted not for his acting but for his charity work, including 12 years as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth/WPA pool)
Michael Caine
British actor Michael Caine, holds his insignia after receiving a knighthood from Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in London Thursday, November 16, 2000. Caine, star of classic films such as, "Zulu," "Alfie," "The Italian Job" and "Hannah and Her Sisters," reverted to his real name Thursday, and was knighted Sir Maurice Micklewhite. (AP Photo/Fiona Hanson/Pool)
Sean Connery
Sir Sean Connery Wednesday, July 5, 2000, in Highland dress and wearing his medal after he was formally knighted by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, during a ceremony in his home city Edinburgh, Scotland. The Scottish screen legend, who was honoured at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, knelt while the Queen touched his shoulders lightly with a sword and made him a Knight during the ceremony in the Palace's Picture Gallery. (AP Photo/ David Cheskin/WPA pool)
Ben Kingsley
British actor Sir Ben Kingsley received his knighthood in 2002. He's shown here as he arrives at the Broadcast Film Critics Association's 7th annual Critics Choice Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., Friday, Jan. 11, 2002. (AP Photo/Lucy Nicholson)
Elton John
British pop singer Elton John was knighted in 1998. He's shown here as he performs Tuesday evening, June 17, 1998 during his concert at Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadion. (AP P hoto/STR)
Paul McCartney
Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney shows off his medal after receiving his knighthood from the Britain's Queen Elizabeth II during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London Tuesday March 11, 1997. The pop star was honored with a knighthood in the New Year Honors List for his services to music.(AP Photo / Adam Butler, ROTA)
Anthony Hopkins
Actor Anthony Hopkins, Academy Award winner for his role as Hannibal Lecter in the film "The Silence of the Lambs," relaxes in his South Kensington garden after the announcement of his knighthood in the Queen's New Year's honor list, Dec. 31, 1992. (AP Photo/Denis Paquin)
Ian McKellan
Actor Ian McKellen was knighted in 1991. He's shown here posing in New York, Sept. 25, 1998. (AP Photo/Suzanne Mapes)
Richard Attenborough
Richard Attenborough was knighted in 1976. He's shown here with his wife, actress Sheila Sim, as they arrive for the British Academy of Film and TV Arts (BAFTA) awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, England, March 20, 1983. (AP Photo/Bob Dear)
Charlie Chaplin
Actor Charlie Chaplin kisses his wife Oona outside of Buckingham Palace in London, March 4, 1975, after being knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in a private ceremony. In his hand is the box containing the insignia of Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. (AP Photo)
Sidney Poitier
Actor Sidney Poitier was knighted in 1974. Poitier is from the Bahamas, which is part of the Commonwealth of Nations, therefore making him eligible for knighthood. He's shown here as he inscribes his signature in wet cement at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Los Angeles, June 23, 1967. (AP Photo/SS, File)
Alec Guinness
Sir Alec Guinness is shown with his wife, Merula, and son, Matthew, at a ceremony in London's Buckingham Palace which vested him with knighthood on February 10, 1959. (AP Photo)
Alfred Hitchcock
British born movie producer Alfred Joseph Hitchcock was knighted in December 1979. He died April 29, 1980 at age 80. (AP Photo)
Laurence Olivier
Laurence Olivier was knighted in 1947. He's shown here at his Chelsea, London home as he holds congratulatory telegrams, March 25, 1949 after his production of "Hamlet" was named Best Picture of the Year by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. (AP Photo)
David Attenborough
David Attenborough was knighted in 1985, nine years after his brother, Richard Attenborough, received the honor. He's shown here with his Bafta award Specialist Factual at the British Academy Television Awards at a central London venue, Sunday, May 18, 2014. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Michael Gambon
Actor Michael Gambon was knighted in 1998. He's shown here participating in the "Churchill's Secret" panel at the PBS Winter TCA on Monday, Jan.18, 2016, in Pasadena, Calif.