Sir Bill? Not quite.
Proclaiming himself "humbled and delighted", Microsoft founder Bill Gates received an honorary knighthood yesterday from Queen Elizabeth II an accolade that allows the recipient to use KBE (Knight Commander of the British Empire) after his name, but not to put Sir in front of it.
One of the world's richest men, Gates, 49, was being honoured for his charitable activities around the world and his contribution to enterprise in Britain.
Past recipients of the honorary knighthood range from Irish singer Bob Geldof to former US President Ronald Reagan.
"This honour is particularly poignant given the deep connections Microsoft enjoys with the United Kingdom," said Gates, whose company employs about 2,000 people in Britain.
Gates's royal honour bestowed by the queen on the advice of the government was announced in January 2004, but a "mutually convenient" date to receive it had not been available until now.
British recipients of knighthoods are entitled to be addressed with a Sir before their names. The honour was long the preserve of senior soldiers, judges and other servants of the state, but recent years have seen the creation of Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Mick Jagger and Sir Elton John.
Gates joins a roster of American knights that includes former presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush, comedian Bob Hope, retired Army General Tommy Franks and former Secretary of State Colin Powell.
