http://music.msn.com/musi...6>1=7701

The thing is, he cant actually use the title, cos he aint British!!!!

personally i think the knighting thing is silly but i guess its the equivelant of getting an honorary doctorate (which bono received from U Penn a few years ago). if it helps in diplomacy, though, i'm sure bono will use it for all its worth.

Desire2006 said:

No he is not a British subject. U2 hails from Dublin, The Republic of Ireland (see below):

The Republic of Ireland (Irish: Poblacht na hÉireann) is the official description[1] of the sovereign state which covers approximately five-sixths of the island of Ireland, off the coast of north-west Europe. The state's constitutional name is Ireland (in the Irish language: Éire) and this is how international organisations and residents usually refer to the country. It is a member of the European Union, has a developed economy and a population of slightly more than 4.2 million[2]. The remaining sixth of the island of Ireland is known as Northern Ireland and is politically an administrative part of the United Kingdom.


Irish rocker, humanitarian Bono to receive honorary knighthood from Britain
-----

at 11:12 on December 23, 2006, EST.
By SHAWN POGATCHNIK


Bono. (AP/Seth Wenig, File)

DUBLIN, Ireland (AP) - Irish rocker and humanitarian Bono will become a knight of the British empire - but the U2 frontman won't be called "Sir."

Britain confirmed Saturday that Bono, 46, will receive his honorary knighthood from the British ambassador to Ireland, David Reddaway, in a Dublin ceremony shortly after New Year's Day.

The Dubliner, whose real name is Paul Hewson, won't be entitled to use the title "Sir" because he is not a national of Britain or the Commonwealth of former British colonies.

A spokesman said the singer was flattered by the honour and hoped it will help him open diplomatic doors in his campaign for more western aid to Africa.

In a letter to Bono released Saturday, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the singer's lobbying had forced wealthy countries to focus on increasing aid to Africa.

"I know from talking to you how much these causes matter to you," Blair wrote. "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."

Blair said he hoped to keep working with Bono "to work together to maintain momentum on Africa, and ensure leaders around the world meet the promises they have made."

The British Embassy in Dublin said the Irish government approved granting Bono the title. The issue is diplomatically sensitive, because Irish officials are legally barred from receiving British royal honours and other Irish nationals have refused nominations on political grounds. Ireland withdrew from the Commonwealth in 1949.

Previous non-British nationals who received knighthoods include Bono's fellow Dubliner and rocker-turned-humanitarian Bob Geldof, Bill Gates, the Spanish opera singer Placido Domingo, Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal, former New York Mayor Rudolf Giuliani, and Steven Spielberg.


©The Canadian Press, 2006

i look at the knighting as an honor equal to america's Kennedy Center Honors.

not sure why anyone would deem it silly, but to each their own.

(i totally had to change "it" to "their"...cause i dont want to be accused of calling someone an "it". )

luv4u said:

Then whats the point?

but isn't bob geldof irish and he was knighted and they use the title Sir with him

lazycrockett said:

You can add the initials K.B.E. after your name - Knight of the British Empire.

missmad said:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Geldof

congratulations, to Bono, a well deserving knight. The bumfluff royals have found a fine champion in sir Bono!

sosgemini said:

oh cool thanks babe

sosgemini said:

i say its silly for the same reason i say honorary doctorates are silly. you didn't really earn it and because you're famous you're given the title. its just silly. like i said, though, if anyone will use the title for some benefit, it's bono. i mean, what have paul mccartney, elton john, anthony hopkins, or mick jagger done since being knighted? and i'm not casting a judgment on those fellows. i'm sure they are nice people but what's the point in knighting them?

as for the kennedy center honors...i don't even know what they are. i've only ever heard of them. its probably just another example of wealthy and famous people getting yet another pat on the back.

http://www.dailymail.co.u...ge_id=1770

Its seems that not everyone is happy with the knighthood!!!

I just hope that the knighthood will somehow give more power to Bono. He works hard, helping people in impossible living conditions. The knighthood itself is a load of bollocks, but the power that comes with it can mean the difference between life and death. It's that simple.

thedribbler said:

yep. as long as its used towards that effect.