Welcome to the club, Sir.

It is every British citizen’s dream and the envy of half the world. But only a lucky few can enter the exclusive club of “Sirs”

The greatest honours

Being distinguished with the title of Sir is one of the greatest honours a man can achieve in his lifetime. It is the greatest reward, the highest possible public recognition of an accomplishment or service performed for the British community. Since pop music and acting have been major British ambassadors throughout the years, actors and musicians abound in the distinguished club of “Sirs”. However among this exclusive selection we also find scientists, politicians, artists, doctors, writers and individuals who have taken on a worthy humanitarian commitment.


The candidates kneel for Queen Elizabeth II

“The candidates kneel before the Monarch in order to be knighted by a light touch of the sword on their shoulders. The order, a red ribbon with a silver emblem, is then placed over the necks.” This ritual is no plot taken from the middle Ages. It takes place every year in the United Kingdom, a country that keenly safeguards its splendour and taste for past traditions. In this case, the Monarch is none other than Queen Elizabeth II and the candidates are distinguished citizens chosen to receive the title of Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

The setting is London’s Buckingham Palace. The order has been awarded to a wide range of well-known man such as Winston Churchill, Michael Tippet, Laurence Olivier, Cliff Richard, or even Karl Popper, Norman Foster or Georg Solti, including the recent addition of Mick Jagger. It is the highest distinction granted to those who have performed outstanding achievements on behalf of their country.

The first Sir was 1917

King George V founded the Order of the British Empire in 1917 to honour the service of civilians during the First World War. For the first time, women and foreigners who aided the Empire would be worthy of such an honour. In 1921, King George V awarded the title of Knight Commander to the Basque ship owner Ramón de la Sota for offering his fleet to the British Admiralship during the war.

The medals of the Order changed considerably in 1937, when the emblem was redesigned and the ribbon’s colour was changed to red. Now, the Order is represented by a blue and red cross with a silver star. The highest class within the Order and the only rank that affords the privilege of placing the title of “Sir” before one’s name is that of Knight Commander. The female equivalent is Dame, among which the most notorious are: Helen Mirren, Judie Dench, Vera Lynn, and Thora Hird. There titles are followed, in order of decreasing importance, by; Commander, Officer, and Member of the British Order.

Who can bee a Knight?

Nowadays, the honour can be bestowed on those British citizens who have made a special contribution that benefits the country in different fields of knowledge (the arts and sciences or charity work, for example) Any Englishman can propose his or her ideal candidates. Then, the Prime Minister advises the Queen on specific designations, and finally it is she who formally decides. The honours lists are made public in the London Gazette and the main national newspapers twice a year, on New Year’s Day and in early June, for the Queen’s birthday. Following the official publication, those selected are invited to Buckingham Palace or other relevant places around the country to receive their award from the Queen during the investiture ceremony.

Even citizens of other nationality can bee Knight.

The award is rarely granted to citizens of other countries. When the case does arise, it is always on the proposal of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, but only foreigners who have made a significant contribution to the United Kingdom’s relations with his or her own country are eligible. The only Spanish Knight Commander recently admitted as an “honorary member” was the tenor Plàcido Domingo. Last February the 4, Esperanza Aguirre entered this exclusive group when she was appointed Dame of the British Order. She is the first Spanish women to have received this title, and hopefully will not be the last.

Ceremony Vestments

 When new member or future knights attend Buckingham Palace for the investiture ceremony, they are expected to dress impeccable, usually in tails and top hat. But some have, at times, broken the rules. Anyone itching to see the lead singer of the Rolling Stones dressed up smart was in for a surprise. Mike Jagger not only postponed the ceremony for 18 months due to musical engagements; when he did attend, he turned up in trainers, a tie and a leather jacket with a red scarf to liven up the outfit. It was Prince Charles who finally appointed him a member of the Order, since the Queen was recovering from knee surgery.

Marbella Property owner

Sean Connery was also quite original. Seeing no apparent contradiction with being a militant of the Scottish National Party (to whish he donates over 78.000 € annually), the actor managed to have his investiture ceremony held at the Scottish palace of Holyrood House, where he attended dressed in a traditional Highlander suit! He bought his first villa in Marbella 1970 and he lived many years in Marbella and was a resident in Marbella, Spain.

Knight and “Sir”?

Being Knight Commander of the most excellent Order of the British Empire is a great honour that entitles on to use “Sir” before one’s name. However, this is a privilege reserved only for British or Commonwealth citizens, who in addition must wait a whole year after their investiture ceremony to be addresses as “Sir”. All other Knights may only use the acronym KBE after their name. The only exception to the rule is Anthony Hopkins. Despite the fact that he gave up his British citizenship and became an American citizen in 1998 (a great offence for many Englishmen, who have even accused him of “treason”), the Queen has allowed him to use his title of “Sir” for life.

Some Rejected the Order

Then there are the nonconformists. They do not acknowledge the relevance of the title, they consider it unworthy, or they simply do not want to address as “Sir”. According to the British government, only 2% of candidates refuse the honour of being knighted. While most are discreet about it, it is public knowledge that the following people have turned down the Queen’s offer to be named “Sirs”; David Bowie, Benjamin Zephaniah, John Cleese, Kenneth Branagh, JG Ballard, John le Carre, Aldous Huxley, Graham Greene, Tagore and David Hockney. Alfred Hitchcock refused the award in 1962, but changed his mind in 1980, when he accepted a second candidacy.

Some of the member:

Sir Charles Chaplin • Sir Sean Connery • Sir Micheal Caine • Sir Laurence Oliver • Sir Roger Moore • Sir Winston Churchill • Sir Alfred Hitchcock • Sir Norman Foster • Sir Alec Guinnes • Sir Alexander Fleming • Sir Elton John • Sir Paul McCartney • Sir Cliff Richards • Sir Bob Hope • Sir Antony Hopkins • Sir Norman Wisdom • Sir Yehudi Menuhin • Sir Georg Solti • Sir Hardy Amies • Sir Ian McKellen • Sir Karl Popper • Sir Richard Branson • Sir John Mills • Sir Cameron Mackintosh • Sir Harry Secombe • Sir Rudolph Giulani