The famous faces Stephen Fry joins after his knighthood
Actor, author, comedian, and philanthropist Stephen Fry has been made a Knight Bachelor after his name was included in King Charles III's New Year's honours list.
Fry was knighted in his capacity as president of mental health charity Mind, and his services to "mental health awareness, the environment and to charity".
Fry was knighted by the King in a ceremony at Windsor Castle.
Though many knighthoods traditionally go to public servants, academics, and military personnel, entertainers have been known to creep onto the list.
Here are just some of the famous faces that have made it.
Angelina Jolie was made an honourary Dame Commander of St Michael and St George for her humanitarian work.
But wait, you might ask - isn't she from the US?
That's what the "honourary" is there for. Jolie can use the letter "DCMG" after her name, but she's not entitled to be addressed as "Dame".
Actor Sam Neill was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2007. In 2009, New Zealand returned to using royal honours, but Neil initially rejected the title of Sir.
He received it at last in 2022 when he was named a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Author Jilly Cooper, famed for her romance novels, was named a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2024 for services to literature.
Queen guitarist Brian May - who among his many talents is also an astrophysicist and an animal rights campaigner - was knighted by King Charles in 2023 for services to music and charity.
Author Jacqueline Wilson may not be a familiar face, but for generations of children the world over, she's a very familiar name.
The celebrated kids' author (pictured with Queen Camilla) was, like Stephen Fry, named on the 2025 New Year's honours list, which anointed her a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire.
Ringo Starr - or Sir Richard Starkey, as you prefer - and his fellow Beatles bandmate Paul McCartney are both knights.
McCartney was knighted in 1997, whereas Starr (pictured) waited more than 20 years before he was dubbed in 2018.
Oscar-winner Ben Kingsley, pictured with Daniela Lavender, was knighted in 2002 for services to the British film industry.
Kingsley is on record as saying an Academy Award pales in personal significance next to his knighthood.
As well as being named an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2006, Olivia Newton-John was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2020.
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