Each year, the Queen bestows hundreds of awards to those who excel in various services, such as drama, arts, charity, and music.
These awards range from a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) all the way to being knighted. This is why you’ll often see celebs with “sir” or “dame” in front of their names.
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Ready for more? Here are 10+ celebs who have been given royal honors.
1. Sir Elton John
He’s called Sir Elton John for a reason!
Since he’s accomplished so much through his Elton John AIDS Foundation , he has received several royal honors. He was nominated for a “Commander of the Order of the British Empire” (CBE), in 1995.
Then, in 1998 he was knighted by the Queen.
That’s not all! He was appointed “Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour” (CH). He was also awarded with his own coin from Britain’s Royal Mint.
2. Jim Carter
The beloved Mr. Carson from Downton Abbey received an OBE from Prince Charles in March 2019.
According to The Sun , this is the Order of the British Empire (OBE). It’s awarded to a person for “having a major local role in any activity.” In Carter’s case, this is acting.
3. Kate Winslet
The Titanic actress has scored notable awards during her career, including Grammy and Emmy Awards and even an Oscar win. But her OEB from the Queen in 2012 might have topped it!
She was given it for her services to drama.
4. Ed Sheeran
We can’t think of anyone more deserving of a royal title than Ed who became an official Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2017 .
He has played a huge role in music and charity over the years.
He was bestowed the honor by Prince Charles on behalf of the Queen.
Ed even broke royal protocol when he accepted his award!
When Ed grabbed Prince Charles’ arm when meeting him, he knew he messed up. “I shook his hand and then grabbed it and you’re not meant to do that,” he told CBS .
5. Angelina Jolie
She can add knight to her impressive resume! In 2014, she was named an honorary dame by the Queen. This is basically the female version of a knight.
She was given the honor for her work in combating sexual violence in war zones.
6. Helen Mirren
The actress was surprisingly wary about being named a dame.
“In Britain, a Damehood is very much being welcomed by the establishment… so I was a bit wary,” she told Sunday Mirror’s Notebook magazine. “To me, actors shouldn’t be too establishment. Our job is to be sort of anti-establishment.”
7. Adele
The UK has been very kind to the singer. In addition to being named one of the most powerful women in the UK, she was royally honored for her services in music .
She received the MBE award from Prince Charles.
8. Benedict Cumberbatch
He’s more than just an actor. He’s also an advocate for LGBT rights, equal pay in Hollywood, and an avid helper of charities.
Because of this, he was awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) honor in 2015 from the Queen.
9. Eddie Redmayne
His contributions to drama (he played Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything and tackled a transgender character in The Danish Girl ) have awarded him more than just an Oscar over the years.
He also received an OBE in 2015 ! So well deserved!
10. Ewan McGregor
The Star Wars actor loves to give back. He has been working with UNICEF since 2004, traveling to countries in need.
In 2013, the royals gave back to him for his contributions to charity and drama with an OBE honor.
11. Idris Elba
“This is beyond special as it comes from queen and country,” the Thor actor said in a statement about receiving an OBE in 2016.
“And I couldn’t be more proud for receiving this right now. What a year.”
12. Catherine Zeta-Jones
There’s so much more to Catherine than just her long acting career or her equally long marriage to Michael Douglas.
She also supports many charities, which earned her a CBE by the Monarchy of the United Kingdom in 2010.
13. Keira Knightley
The accomplished actor’s involvement in acting and charity has done the world — and her — good.
In 2018, she was given an OEB . That same year, she was also named on the Queen’s birth honors list.
Sir Anthony Hopkins
Like Elton John, the Silence of the Lambs actor was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 1993. This is why you’ll sometimes hear people refer to him as “Sir” Anthony Hopkins.
Before this, he became a CBE in 1987.
14. Julie Andrews
It makes perfect sense that the Princess Diaries actress became a dame in 2000 . She’s the Queen of Genovia, after all!
She received the honor based on her many services to the performing arts. She once even sang to King George VI !
15. David Beckham
The retired atlete received an OBE in 2003 for his career as a soccer player.
“I am honored and privileged to receive this recognition,” he said at the time. “It’s not just for me but for Manchester United, England, all of my teammates, and my family.”
His wife, Victoria Beckham, also earned the honor in 2017.
She received the honor from Prince William for services to the fashion industry.
“If you dream big and work hard you can accomplish great things,” she said of the honor.
