What a knighthood is and how the system works
In the United Kingdom, a knighthood is an honour that recognises distinguished service and achievement. Today the phrase most often refers to membership of the very oldest and broadest order of chivalry, the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, or the orders that sit above it in common use: the Order of the Garter, the Order of the Thistle, the Order of St Michael and St George, the Royal Victorian Order, and the Order of the British Empire. Knighthoods can be awarded to citizens of the United Kingdom and to foreign nationals. The sovereign is the fount of honour and makes all appointments; in practice the day-to-day honours recommendations are handled by the Honours Forfeiture Secretariat and the Cabinet Office Honours and Appointments Secretariat, with detailed vetting conducted by specialist committees. Queen Elizabeth II knighted thousands of people over seven decades, using her formal powers to elevate individuals to knighthood across several orders.
Eligibility, categories, and selection criteria
Who can be knighted and on what grounds
Knighthoods are not restricted to United Kingdom citizens, but substantial and sustained contributions are typically expected. Nominations may come from government departments, public bodies, charities, non‑profits, professional bodies, and, within limits, members of the public. Key selection criteria include the level of impact, innovation, leadership, and the degree to which the work benefits the United Kingdom or its interests overseas. Each order has a brief: for example, the Order of the Bath emphasises military, civil, and diplomatic service; the Order of St Michael and St George focuses on foreign and Commonwealth service; the Royal Victorian Order is in the sovereign’s personal gift and usually recognises service to the royal household; and the Order of the British Empire covers the arts, sciences, charitable work, and public service.
Process and checks before approval
Proposals undergo multi‑stage reviews, including checks for political balance, proportionality, and adherence to rules on honours. The Honours and Appointments Secretariat coordinates the flow, with committees such as the Honours Committee for the Prime Minister’s Awards and the Honours and Appointments Directorate vetting nominations. Recommendations are then submitted to the sovereign for formal approval. Timing varies by order and nominee circumstances, and the final decision is the sovereign’s, exercised on ministerial advice. Recipients are notified in advance and are asked to contribute to public service going forward.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Orders commonly used for knighthoods | Order of the Bath, Order of St Michael and St George, Royal Victorian Order, Order of the British Empire, Order of the Garter, Order of the Thistle | UK Government guidance |
| Typical lead time from nomination to announcement | Approximately 12 to 18 months, though some honours such as Royal Victorian appointments can be quicker | Cabinet Office process notes |
| Who makes the final decision | The sovereign on ministerial advice; recommendations are prepared by committees within the Honours and Appointments Secretariat | UK honours code |
| Main eligibility factors | Outstanding achievement or service, national or international impact, leadership, and long‑term contribution | Honours Guidance and Select Committee reports |
| Public nomination path | Through recognised bodies; direct public nominations are accepted in some categories, notably some community and voluntary service honours | Cabinet Office public guidance |
Notable examples of people knighted by Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II knighted individuals across the arts, science, public service, sport, and charity. Below are representative, well‑documented cases drawn from official honours lists and reputable news records. Foreign nationals and Commonwealth citizens were also honoured in various orders as part of the global role of the Crown.
- Sir Patrick Moore — knighted in 2001 for services to astronomy and public outreach in science communication.
- Sir Tim Berners‑Lee — knighted in 2004 for services to the global development of the Internet.
- Dame Judi Dench — appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1988, advanced to Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire in 2005; recognised for services to theatre.
- Sir Paul Nurse — knighted in 1999 and later awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2001 for work on the cell cycle; subsequently appointed to the Order of Merit in 2022.
- Sir Ranulph Fiennes — knighted in 2022 for services to polar exploration and to charity.
- Sir Michael Caine — knighted in 2000 for services to drama and cinema.
- Sir John Sulston — knighted in 2001 for services to genome research.
- Sir Chris Bonington — knighted for services to mountaineering and charity work.
- Sir Alex Ferguson — knighted in 1999 for services to football and charity.
- Sir Paul McCartney — knighted in 1997 for services to music.
Honours that include knighthood and how they differ
Orders associated with knighthood
Not all honours are called “knighthood,” but they share the central feature of granting the title Sir for men and Dame for women. The older orders, such as the Order of the Garter and the Order of the Thistle, are limited in number and are primarily for very senior statespeople and senior members of the royal family. The Order of St Michael and St George is traditionally focused on diplomatic and Commonwealth service. The Royal Victorian Order is within the sovereign’s personal gift and often recognises service to the royal household. For most long‑term public servants and professionals, the Order of the British Empire remains the main channel to knighthood, with five grades from Member up to Knight/Dame Grand Cross.
How the system has evolved and controversies
Honours policy has been reformed several times to address perceptions of unfairness, partisanship, and opaque decision‑making. Calls for greater transparency led to changes such as published lists, clearer criteria, and the creation of independent review bodies. The process has also been scrutinised for political balance and for the representativeness of recipients. Independent reviews and adjustments to guidance have aimed to make recommendations more consistent, reduce bottlenecks, and ensure that the honours system reflects broad public service and achievement rather than narrow or short‑term interests.
Frequently asked questions about knighthoods
Can anyone apply for a knighthood
Individuals cannot apply directly. Honours are proposed by departments, public bodies, or recognised nominators based on established eligibility and the needs of the honours lists. Members of the public may submit nominations for certain community and voluntary service honours through official channels.
Does a knighthood include a title or land
A knighthood grants the title Sir or Dame but does not include a seat in the House of Lords. It also does not typically confer land or material benefits, though some orders allow the use of post‑nominal letters. Recipients may, at their discretion, add the title to correspondence and some formal contexts, subject to legal and tax considerations.
Are foreign nationals knighted
Yes. Foreign nationals may receive honorary knighthoods or be appointed to orders such as St Michael and St George or the Order of the British Empire. Honorary knighthoods do not carry the same rights as substantive appointments and are typically listed without the style ‘Sir’ or ‘Dame.’