It's worth noting that the sword Sir Terry Pratchett had forged was not just a normal sword. He specified that it should be made with meteoric iron, which is awesome. RIP Sir Terry

Having worked in central government I can tell you a little about how the system works. The Cabinet Office, which is the central department of government, is responsible for the honours system. People can write to them suggesting honours. The Cabinet office asks each government department to put forward names to them of people thought deserving. Those departments in turn might ask other organisations, such as regulators, trade bodies and public bodies to suggest names to them. Each government department then suggests a list to the Cabinet Office who then undertake a vetting process. Usually people with criminal records, bankrupts and those who have been subject to public controversy will be excluded. The Cabinet Office will then submit a list to the prime minister for approval. The prime minister will then submit the list to the monarch. Knighthoods and Damehoods are not currently hereditary, so nobody nowadays can inherit the title. Aside from the title and medal there are few tangible benefits. You will probably get an entry in Who’s Who. If you write to a newspaper it’s more likely your letter will be published. I guess you’re less likely to be put on hold if you ring somebody up. And, you are more likely to get a table at a restaurant. One of my colleagues in government took his brother out for meal. Irritated at being kept waiting for a table he decided to promote his brother and approached the Maitre D and said, “Excuse me, you are keeping Sir Michael waiting”. It worked! Personally I think the honours system is a bit nonsensical in this day and age. However, if I were granted a knighthood I’d enjoy being called Sir Kris because it is a palindrome.

The reason that you may turn it down (a la Redgrave, Bowie etc) is that you think the whole honours system is corrupt, archaic bunk signifying much else that is wrong.

It used to be a privilege but now not held in the same regards. Too many corrupt politicians get knighted.

There are numerous other nationals who have received honorary Knighthoods. For example, Steven Spielberg is an honorary knight, as is Caspar Weinberger along with Bob Geldorf and many others, some who have become British citizens and, as a result, became entitled to call themselves SIR.

There's another layer of titles above knighthood and damehood: Baronetcy. This is awarded by the Monarch for services to the Crown. A Baronet is also addressed as "Sir", but unlike a knight, the title is hereditary. As a result there are some fairly ordinary people who are Baronets because their ancestors received the title.

The title Sir can be used by citizens of former Colonial Countries that are Commonwealth members that have the Monarch as Head of State who are awarded the Honour. Many Australian's, Canadian's, New Zealander's and those from some Caribbean Countries use the title after being awarded. Those from elsewhere it is purely an honour whose title can't be used like Bob Geldof who is Irish, Sir Terry Wogan became a dual Irish British citizen long before being awarded.

Anyone from another country can receive honours, but if you have connections with the commonwealth there are perks. For example a few weeks ago the four members of the Kpop girl group blackpink all recieved honours with an MBE from the king, but Rose's came with perks because of her connections with New Zealand. It is a member of the commonwealth, this means she can get married at St Paul's cathedral and have her children christened there if she wants to.

The term knight is related to the German term "Knecht" meaning "servant". A knight was as such an armed servant of his liege. Doesn't mean, every soldier was a knight though. A knight is the lowest rank of nobility. In medieval times knights were an elite warrior class, who were training to be a knight from childhood. From age 7 they served and learned as a page and from age 14 on a a squire. Only when turning 21 they where eligable to be knighted, if they where ready. Thus they were more than just heavy armed soldiers. They were the best trained warrriors one could think of. That is why not all noblemen were automatically knights, though many were. Since knights usually came from nobility they often held lands in their own rights which could support them. Those who didn't either served a lord as serving knight and got paid for by him or they earned their lifelyhood in tournaments... or by robbery. Cases where commoners got knighted for their deeds where rare in medieval times, but they did occur. Said knighthood would then, of cause, elevate them into (lower) nobility just as it does today.

The garter reference in this video refers to a male garter. In the past garters were mens wear everyday clothing has men wore tights or hosiery, you know that stuff that holds your stomach in and backside maybe called leggings that women wear today. In late mediaeval times the men wore garters held up a knife that was counseled in the garter, while the dagger was on a belt on this belt would be a draw string purse with coins in gold and silver. The order of the garter is the highest honour and privilege given only to members of the royal household prime minister's, some military officers and maybe highest ranked from the church of England. I would have to look that one up, about a archbishop or two being members of this. I know they do a procession from a palace to one of the high churches or visea versa once a year lead by church archbishop's Love mum

The stars and crosses of the order, as well as the collar (chain) are made of silver and gold, and must be returned to the Central Registry of Chivalry upon the death of the holder. They are symbols of the honour, not possessions.

Simon Whistler is unlikely to receive a knighthood as he lives and works outside the UK (Prague). This may also expain his randomly odd pronunciation of some English names.

Hello Ethan and Angela. I commented before that the first person I met at university was Alok Sharma. He became Sir Alok this last year. He wrote "A huge honour to be knighted by His Majesty the King at Windsor Castle".

Any member of the Royal family can knight somebody on behalf of the Monarch. So Charles, & Anne, & William have already done so. People are awarded knighthoods & Honours because of works for Charities & services to the country. Women are not knighted, the are made a Dame, which is the female equivalent. In ancient days knights were obliged to serve in the Kings army when required, in exchange for holding land. They also usually served as judges etc in their lands, & do any service required by the Monarch. Knighthoods were not automatically inherited by the heir when a knight died, but had to be granted it on their own behalf, & also pay for this & the lands etc that go with it. The knight gets a medal on a neck ribbon, as well as a pin on badge to wear. Some people have refused knighthoods for political reasons.

Bill is always short for William.

Only the Order of the Garter, the Order of the Thistle, the Royal Victorian Order, and the Order of Merit are the only honors that are the personal choice of the King/Queen all other recipients of honors are chosen by or in the case of Prime Minister's resignation honors lists approved by committees.

A number of US citizens have received honourary knighthoods and Damehoods, but are not, under current rules, allowed to call themself Sir Blank Blank or Dame Blank Blank. The Sir or Dame is always followed by the first name never the last or family name. So for example Sir Michael Caine, or Dame Maggie Smith. The wife of someone given a knighthood also receives the curtesy title of Lady, becoming Lady Blank Blank. The husband of a dame gets nothing.

Only those of British nationality are permitted by law to used titles bestowed by the Crown. Some non-UK nationals are usually citizens of countries where titles are illegal (e.g. USA, France, and most republics). The investitures, when a person receives his/her honour, is like a university graduation ceremony - you go up to collect what you have earned in your best clothes. These days a lot of nobodies, like ageing rock stars and footballers, get knighted.

The relevant authority is the government.

That's 3 thousand per year. People are knighted for charity work, or stuff that has brought great benefit to the UK. Knights in olden days had to fight for the King to keep their lands. If a knight died his on would have to apply for a knighthood to inherit the property etc, & there was a charge for this. Originally a knight was a horse warrior, so had to have the means to support this position. Technical all land belonged to the sovereign & everyone else was a tenant of the King, so held their land by the King's permission. A woman is not knighted, she is made a Dame. Some people refuse a knighthood for political reasons, they think it's part of the class system etc. Knighting Honours are announced only 2 times a year, on the monarchs birthday & at New Year. The ceremony can take place whenever the Monarch or a member of the Royal Family is available. The knight gets a medal on a ribbon for the neck & a larger pin badge etc in a fancy box with a 'diploma' type document giving the details. Foreigners can get knighthoods etc, but these are classed as honorary, so cannot be called Sir etc until they become British citizens. Knighthoods are not directly inheritable. Being knighted may add prestige to a person which improves their ability to do more in business, charity etc. It looks good on your letterhead etc.

There is a New Year's honours list... Not all are deserved. Some are rewards or recognition for one thing or another. The civil service for example get far more for just doing their job. Larger donors to political parties often find themselves on the list. The covert favour or pay on the back for the elites or aristocracy. Nothing much has changed really.

You had to go fight with your men when the King went to war a suit of armor cost the equivalent of a Rolls or a Bentley

You don't even get a sword, shield or shiny suit of armour these days! I think I'll stick with Mr. or Esq (Esquire) at the end of my name, as is on my cheque book (that has not been used in about 10 years). There are quite a few republicans in the UK still and the last monarch that tried to be a dictator, did not fare well!

The only practical benefit of an honour is you get a better seat at a banquet.

each year a list from the honours committees made up of independent* civil servants (government officials) taking suggestions from the prime minister and ministers, members of parliament, the royal household and (with less success until very resent years with reforms) members of the public is released on new year's eve and a second list on the king's birthday with all the honours including knighthoods and some other lesser know Honours such as the king's police medal.

Bowie turned down his nighthood because he didn't really care for the monarchy or titles, and didn't really see the point of it.

Sir Winston Churchill. Wartime Prime Minister.

Hay guys great video. I think you need to improve on your lighting, you are slightly in the dark.

you are holding yellow/green and red/pink flights

Hi Team HNY a UK king many centuries ago _ knighted a piece of meat = Sir loin, someone will add more info

Whilst the Monarch still has certain theoretical political powers they would never use them without doing so at the request of the Government of the day. If they did then we, the people, (sound familiar? 😉) would likely strongly object which would lead to a constitutional crisis. Queen Anne was the last monarch to do such a thing. She withheld Royal Assent to a Scottish Militia Bill in 1707 which meant that it did not become an Act of Parliament and therefore law. So it has been 317 years since it last happened.

You should look into Lords and Ladies and Peerages, titles and the right to sit in the House of Lords this is as you said something different. Some people reject the Knighthood on grounds of being Republican or anti royalist or consider it to be a colonial thing

Quite a few people turn down honours because not everyone is proud of the British Monarchy & what England has done to other nations for hundreds of years & they don't want to be seen as part of the "establishment".

It is possible, to buy a random piece of land that entitles you to refer to yourself as Lord and Lady etc. Otherwise you have wait and hope.

In my opinion Tv personalities, actors and sports personalities should not get OBE’s, MBE’s or Knighthoods. Only the British people should receive them who have do some good work helping people.

Are there many KZfaq content presenters with knight or damehoods?

From 5:40 to the end of the video, the topic video is out of sync with the audio.

I think a lot of the reasons for people turning down knighthoods and OBEs/MBEs/CBEs is to do with the title being Knight/Member/etc of the British Empire, and it's the "British Empire" bit that a lot of modern British people don't like to be associated with, (because obvious nasty history inflicted on other countries all around the world).

Getting a Knighthood in modern times mean absolutely nothing anymore. The give them out like sweets to just about anybody.

Horrible in my opinion no one is better than anyone else order of the British empire that datad good video 😊😊😊