Celebs Who’ve Been Knighted By the British Royal Family: Paul McCartney, Emma Thompson and More

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Celebs Who’ve Been Knighted By the British Royal Family: Paul McCartney, Emma Thompson and More

A high honor! One of the most prestigious accolades that a British native can receive is a damehood or a knighthood from a member of the royal family.

Queen Elizabeth II, her children and her grandchildren are permitted to hand out various awards to exemplary citizens of the Commonwealth. Per the official country’s website, a knight or dame title is awarded to individuals who have “a major contribution in any activity, usually at a national level.” Such accomplishments are often seen as “inspirational and significant, requiring commitment over a long period of time.”

Former Great British Bake Off judge Mary Berry received a damehood in October 2021 via the reigning monarch’s eldest children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne.

“🍰 Arise Dame Mary Berry! Congratulations to the food writer, TV presenter and former judge on @britishbakeoff who received her Damehood for services to culinary arts from The Prince of Wales today,” the royal family announced via their official Instagram page at the time. “🎖 The Prince of Wales and The Princess Royal presented honors recipients from all walks of life with their insignia during the two Investitures which were held at Windsor Castle today.”

The cookbook author earned the accolade for her 50-year culinary and broadcasting career, as well as her commitment to charity work.

“I'm extremely proud and honored,” she told the BBC of the award. “I just wish my parents were here — they’re looking down and my children are quite excited. My aim is to pass on the skill that I love so much because everybody has to cook each day. Whether it's a student or whatever it is, you've got to feed yourself so why not learn to do it well and enjoy it.”

The TV personality, who previously baked alongside Prince William and Duchess Kate for her A Berry Royal Christmas special in December 2019, joined an accomplished group of peers who’ve earned similar honors, including the likes of Emma Thompson, Julie Andrews and Mick Jagger.

The Prince of Wales also bestowed the famed honor to the “Satisfaction” crooner in December 2003.

“It was all rather wonderfully formal," Jagger told Rolling Stone following the ceremony. 

For her part, the Late Night actress was knighted by the Duke of Cambridge in November 2018 for her contributions to the fields of acting and drama.

“I love Prince William," she gushed to reporters at the time. "I've known him since he was little, and we just sniggered at each other. I said, 'I can't kiss you, can I?' And he said, 'No don't!'"

She continued, “If you're first up, you have to be more formal on such an occasion, but he's looking wonderful and doing so well. He said, 'This day isn't about me, it's about you.’”

Scroll below to find out which other celebrities have been knighted by members of the royal family:

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Deborah James

The BBC host, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016, announced in May 2022 that she was entering hospice care. Amid her health journey, the Duke of Cambridge presented her with a damehood at her home.

“I am utterly honored that he joined us for afternoon tea and champagne, where he not only spent a generous amount of time talking to my whole family but also honored me with my Damehood,” James wrote via Instagram that May. “It’s quite surreal having a royal pop in at home, and yes you can imagine the cleaning antics and preparation went off the scale — but it was all irrelevant because William was so kind and he put us all at ease.”

James "passed away peacefully today, surrounded by her family," her family wrote in a touching tribute shared via Instagram in June 2022. "Deborah shared her experience with the world to raise awareness, break down barriers, challenge taboos and change the conversation around cancer. Even in her most challenging moments, her determination to raise money and awareness was inspiring."

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Mary Berry

The Mary Berry's Baking Bible author told the BBC in October 2021 that she was “proud and honored” to be a Dame Commander for her services to cooking, writing and baking. She told the outlet that she planned to celebrate by “going home for a sandwich and the children are coming tonight."

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Emma Thompson

The Love Actually star earned the honor in November 2018, gushing over it to the U.K.'s Metro newspaper at the time, “It’s a huge honor to be sharing this massive pat on the back with other women in so many other professions and walks of life. … I’ve always wanted to be able to refer to myself as a dame. Small D. Dame with a capital D is even more thrilling."

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Maggie Smith

The Downton Abbey alum was made a Dame Commander in 1990 and then a Companion of Honor in 2014.

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Julie Andrews

“It’s the most personal, lovely honor and it made me so thrilled that I was honored by my own country,” the Sound of Music star recalled of her 2000 ceremony on Live! With Kelly and Ryan in October 2019. “It really is quite special and [Queen Elizabeth] is quite lovely.”

At the time, Andrews noted that the monarch quipped she had been "waiting a long time” to see the Oscar winner at the special ceremony.

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Mick Jagger

The Rolling Stones frontman was honored in December 2003 for his contributions to popular music.

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Elton John

In February 1998, the “Rocketman” performer earned the knighthood honor, telling reporters at the time — via the Associated Press —  that “They don’t come much bigger than this.”


He added, “I’ve had a long career and worked hard. But I think the turning point came in 1990 when I got sober and started to do some charity work, particularly for the AIDS problem. A knighthood is the icing on the cake.”

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Paul McCartney

McCartney was the first member of the Beatles to be knighted by the Queen in March 1997. Twenty years later, his knighthood status was elevated with a Companion of Honor award in June 2017.

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Daniel Day-Lewis

The Oscar winner was knighted by Prince William in June 2015, who told the BBC at the time that he was “entirely amazed and utterly delighted in equal measure” to receive the honor.