34 Surprising Celebrities Who Have Received Honors From the Royal Family
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1) M.I.A.
Prince William presented M.I.A. with an MBE for services to music.
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2) Ralph Lauren
In June 2019, Ralph Lauren became the first-ever American fashion designer to receive an honorary knighthood. Prince Charles presented Lauren with his KBE (Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in a private ceremony.
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3) Jim Carter
The actor, AKA the beloved Mr. Carson in Downton Abbey, received an OBE from Prince Charles in March 2019. His wife Imelda Staunton was present at the special ceremony—the actress is best known for her role as Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
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4) Twiggy
The supermodel became an official Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in March 2019.
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5) Kiera Knightley
Prince Charles appointed Knightley an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in December 2018.
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6) Emma Thompson
Thompson was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) by Prince William in November 2018.
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7) Adele
Prince Charles appointed Adele a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to music back in 2013.
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8) Eddie Redmayne
In 2016, Queen Elizabeth appointed Redmayne an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
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9) Benedict Cumberbatch
Cumberbatch received the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) from Queen Elizabeth for services to the performing arts and to charity in 2015.
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10) Ewan McGregor
Prince Charles appointed McGregor an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to drama and charity in 2013.
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11) Kate Winslet
Winslet was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth for services to drama in 2012.
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12) Catherine Zeta-Jones
Prince Charles appointed Zeta Jones a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) back in 2010.
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13) Naomie Harris
Queen Elizabeth appointed Harris an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2017.
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14) Helena Bonham Carter
Carter was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth in 2012 for her services to drama.
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15) Elizabeth Taylor
Taylor receiving the honor of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire from Queen Elizabeth in 2000.
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16) Judi Dench
In 2005, Queen Elizabeth invested Dench with the Insignia of a Companion of Honour. (Back in 1988, she made Dench an honorary dame).
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17) David Oyelowo
Oyelowo was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2016.
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18) Helen Mirren
Prince Charles appointed Mirren an honorary dame in 2003.
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19) JK Rowling
Prince William appointed Rowling a Companion of Honour for literature and philanthropy in 2017.
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20) David Beckham
Queen Elizabeth appointed Beckham an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2003. (Victoria would receive the same honor years later in 2016).
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21) Anthony Hopkins
Hopkins was received a CBE in 1987 (pictured here), before being knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 1993.
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22) Michael Caine
Queen Elizabeth honored Caine with a knighthood in 2000.
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23) Bill Gates
Queen Elizabeth presented Bill Gates with an honorary knighthood in recognition of his charitable donations in Commonwealth countries in 2005.
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24) All Four of The Beatles
Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney would go on to receive knighthoods, but all four members of The Beatles were appointed Members of the Order of the British Empire by the Queen in 1965.
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25) Kylie Minogue
Prince Charles honored Minogue with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to music in 2008.
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26) Ed Sheeran
Sheeran was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Prince Charles for services to music and charity in 2017.
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27) Anna Wintour
Queen Elizabeth appointed Wintour a Dame Commander in 2017.
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28) Julie Andrews
In 2000, Andrews received the honor of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire from Queen Elizabeth.
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29) Vivienne Westwood
Memorably, the fashion designer received her OBE from the Queen without underwear in 1992. Westwood would go on to be named a Dame in 2006.
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30) James Corden
Corden was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to drama by Princess Anne in 2015.
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31) Mick Jagger
Prince Charles knighted Jagger for services to popular music in 2003.
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32) Rod Stewart
Stewart received a knighthood in recognition of his services to music and charity in 2016.
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33) Joan Collins
Prince Charles appointed Collins a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2015.
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From Bill Gates to M.I.A.
