Bono the lead singer of U2 has been made an honorary knight commander of the British Empire.
Bono received the honorary knighthood for his contribution to music and in recognition of his humanitarian work. The award was presented this afternoon at a private ceremony at the British ambassador's residence in Dublin, where Bono’s family and friends including Adam Clayton and The Edge had gathered. After the ceremony Ambassador David Reddaway made the official announcement to the press,
I’ve had the great pleasure on her majesty’s behalf of presenting the badge of the order to Bono.
The singer and anti-poverty campaigner said he was delighted and proud to receive the award, which was given for his achievements in music as well as his humanitarian work,
I’m very proud of the work that we’ve done in Great Britain with the movement there.
As to how the general public may address him from this day on, the honorary knighthood means the title 'Sir’ will not be used. Bono told reporters,
You have permission to call me anything you want.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 29 March 2007. The reporter is Sinéad Crowley.
