Bono to Receive Honorary KnighthoodDUBLIN, 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 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. "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 honors and other Irish nationals have refused nominations on political grounds. Ireland withdrew from the Commonwealth in 1949.
Hi folks: It's arise Sir Bono
In the centuries-old history of the British honours system, it will go down as the most extraordinary way a knighthood has ever been announced. The official notification revealing that Tony Blair had awarded an honorary knighthood to his friend, rock star Bono, lead singer of U2, came in an email which began: "Hi folks."
As well as being announced by the British Embassy in Bono's home town of Dublin, the news was also released on the Downing Street website - and Bono's own website. The way the news was broken immediately came under fire from MPs on all sides, who claimed it was final proof of the way Mr Blair has manipulated the honours system for cynical political purposes.
The timing of the announcement was also criticised, coming a week ahead of other similar awards in the New Year's Honours.
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Snobbery, sycophancy...and Sir Dog Biscuit KBE
So Mr Dog Biscuit, the man who is so famous and wonderful that he doesn't have to have a real name, is now to become Sir Dog Biscuit KBE.
What an episode of snobbery and sycophancy this is.
A whole generation, which likes to tell itself that it is devoted to equality and rejects the hierarchies of the past, falls to its knees and licks the shoes of the new aristocracy of fame and cool.
Is there any real distinction between the old bowing and simpering to landed gentry, and the new deference paid to the nobles of rock?
The interesting thing is, who is supposed to benefit from this parody of honour? Who is sucking up to whom?
It is hard to see why Mr Paul Hewson, a right-on citizen of a Republic that rejected the British Crown and stormed out of the British Empire, should even want to belong to the Order of the British Empire, let alone be a Knight Commander of it.
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