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02/03/2005
Microsoft boss receives honorary knighthood
Bill Gates, head of computer software giant Microsoft, will receive an honorary knighthood from the Queen today.
Mr Gates, who is the world's wealthiest man with an estimated fortune of £28 billion, is receiving the honorary knighthood for his contribution to enterprise, employment, education and the voluntary sector in the UK. He is also being honoured for his contributions to improving health and reducing poverty around the world, through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which he formed with his wife.
Commenting on the honorary knighthood, Mr Gates said that he was "humbled and delighted". He said: "I'm particularly pleased that this honour helps recognize the real heroes our foundation supports to improve health in poor countries. Their incredible work is helping ensure that one day all people - no matter where they are born - will have the same opportunity for a healthy life, and I'm humbled to share this honour with them."
Mr Gates will receive his knighthood at a private ceremony in Buckingham Palace.
Honorary knighthoods are awarded by the Queen, on the advice of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to those who have made an important contribution to British interests. Former US Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush, former New York Mayor Rudolph Guiliani and film director Steven Spielberg are among the US citizens who have previously received an honorary knighthood.
However, as a US citizen, Mr Gates will not be able to use the title 'Sir' but he will be entitled to use the letters 'KBE' after his name.
(KMcA/SP)
Mr Gates, who is the world's wealthiest man with an estimated fortune of £28 billion, is receiving the honorary knighthood for his contribution to enterprise, employment, education and the voluntary sector in the UK. He is also being honoured for his contributions to improving health and reducing poverty around the world, through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which he formed with his wife.
Commenting on the honorary knighthood, Mr Gates said that he was "humbled and delighted". He said: "I'm particularly pleased that this honour helps recognize the real heroes our foundation supports to improve health in poor countries. Their incredible work is helping ensure that one day all people - no matter where they are born - will have the same opportunity for a healthy life, and I'm humbled to share this honour with them."
Mr Gates will receive his knighthood at a private ceremony in Buckingham Palace.
Honorary knighthoods are awarded by the Queen, on the advice of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to those who have made an important contribution to British interests. Former US Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush, former New York Mayor Rudolph Guiliani and film director Steven Spielberg are among the US citizens who have previously received an honorary knighthood.
However, as a US citizen, Mr Gates will not be able to use the title 'Sir' but he will be entitled to use the letters 'KBE' after his name.
(KMcA/SP)
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