Posted on 12/23/2006 7:20:43 AM PST by LurkedLongEnough
DUBLIN, Ireland -- 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 Bono 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 46-year-old singer was flattered by the honor 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 nations to focus on increasing aid to Africa.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
For a moment, I thought your comment had a typo, and was just about to throw you an r.
Took a moment there, but that is quite good :)
why would anyone honor this a-hole for anything.....
as with all hollywood and rock stars...they always want to the US tax payer to come up with more!!!
as what was once said the left...."even all socialists will eventually run out of other peoples' money to spend!"
Bono also talked a few times with former Senator Jesse Helms, and he invited Helms to a couple of U2 concerts. I will give Bono credit with at least having serious discussions in person with politicians he may differ with on a variety of issues.
"... honorary knighthood ..." Does this mean he can't wear armor, joust, and rescue damsels like a real knight? Bummer.
Uh oh...the two words Blair and honors should be enough to make anyone cringe. I suppose the important question considering Mr. Blair's history is how much did Bono pay for it?
Apparently the qualifications for Knighthood have been greatly lowered.
Hey QueenieE., I, a lowly knave, pulled a cat out of a tree once.
Probably doesn't matter, seeing as most our Knights are tax-exiles! ;)
Seriously, here is the relevent Article of the Constitution of Ireland:
Article 40
2.Nobility shall not be conferred by the State.
2° No title of nobility or of honour may be accepted by any citizen except with the prior approval of the Government.
Knighthoods can be accepted, with permission, but they have no official status, at least not in the Republic of Ireland.
That fits in with the Irish character, which I have seen to be totally lacking in pretension.
Bono excepted, of course.
Love it! Bono... a legend in his own mind.
When he travels, don't they need a second jumbo jet to transport his EGO...?
Bono excepted, of course.
And RTE... you should see how silly they behaved when the 'centenary' of Joyce's Ulysses was last year!
Thankfully, most of us here don't like pretentiousness - someone has to do an awful lot before the Irish Public can consider them 'celebrities'!
"Careful now with the RTE slams, buster!"
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