knighthoods

[tali122]

is there a difference between a knighthood and getting knighted- its because when the papers report it one is a OBE or MBE , whilst another becomes a Sir - i get confused.
And how come ,i believe, only one posthumous knighthood was given (to some obscure sportsperson)- there are many hundreds deserving of such an honour- the late ronnie barker for one - so why was it allowed on only this one occasion?

[kempie]

A knight gets knighted, a Commander (or Officer or Member) of the Order of the British Empire does not. here are links explaining the Honour System - OBE, orders and honours.

Knighthoods were traditionally conferred for military merit but now are given to media personalities.

The process of creating a knight (investiture) is subject to strict protocols. The knight elect must be present and must kneel upon a special �knighting stool� in front of the monarch or her Royal representative. For this, and for other reasons, a knighthood cannot be conferred upon someone who is no longer alive.

As for Sir Henry Cotton, golfer, he accepted his knighthood in 1987 before his death. However he had died before it was publicly announced in the 1988 New Years Day Honours leading to the press erroneously calling it posthumous.

[woofgang]

Also UK honours only count in the UK which is why Bob Geldoff is an honorary knight and his title is used by courtesy

[kempie]

Badly phrased woofgang - perhaps it would be better to say UK honours only 'count' for citizens of countries which recognise the Queen as head of state, otherwise an honorary title may be conferred as a courtesy and holders of such are entitled to place initials after their name but not to style themselves "Sir...".

[Shipstabber]

Just out of curiosity - now Anthony Hopkins is no longer a British Citizen, can he still use the 'Sir'?

[VINNY100_2]

Anthony hopkins ..British Consulate officials in Los Angeles said he could continue to use his title in the UK, but it "is not appropriate to use the honorific form in America".(:)

[woofgang]

that's me... a jolly old bad phraser!!!