Bono To Be Knighted
Posted December 23, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It was confirmed Saturday that the 46-year-old singer will receive an honourary British knighthood from the British ambassador to Ireland soon after the New Year begins.
But the Dubliner won’t take the title “Sir” because he’s not a national of Britain or the Commonwealth – Ireland withdrew in 1949.
Bono will receive the honour for his efforts to get governments of wealthy nations, including Canada, to forgive debt owed to them by African nations and to beef up their foreign aid spending.
“I know from talking to you how much these causes matter to you,” British Prime Minister Tony Blair wrote in a letter to the singer. “I know as well how knowledgeable you are about the problems we face and how determined you are to do all you can to help overcome them. You have tirelessly used your voice to speak up for Africa.”
While an Irishman accepting a British knighthood could raise some political tensions on the Emerald Isle, Bono says he’s honoured and believes his new status will only open diplomatic doors for him in the fight for the cause he cares so much about, according to his spokesman.
Irish officials are legally barred from receiving British royal honours and other Irish nationals have refused them on political grounds.
Other non-Brits who’ve received a knighthood include fellow Irish national and Live 8 organizer Bob Geldof, Bill Gates, opera star Placido Domingo, Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal, former New York Mayor Rudolf Giuliani, and Steven Spielberg.
One: The Campaign to Make Poverty History
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