London Mayor Sadiq Khan receives Britain's biggest honor; Conservative Party had protested.
The list of England's highest honor 'Knighthood' has been announced. This year around 1200 people have been included in this list. Among them are former England manager Gareth Southgate, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, and actor Stephen Fry.
This honor is given every year by the Queen of England. A special name on this list is London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Sadiq, who has taken office for a record third time in the City Hall elections in May this year, said that he is feeling very good after receiving this honor. Fry, who first made his name as part of a double act with Hugh Laurie in the late 1980s, said that he felt surprised and happy at the same time on receiving this news.
Truly humbled to have received a knighthood in the King’s New Year’s Honours.
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) December 30, 2024
I couldn’t have dreamed when growing up on a council estate in south London that I'd one day be Mayor of London.
It’s the honour of my life to serve the city I love.https://t.co/W7wHF7pm1V
What did Sadiq Khan say about the honor?
Speaking after receiving the honor, Sadiq said he "never dreamed I would one day become Mayor of London" when he was growing up on a council estate in south London. "It has been the honor of my life to serve the city I love and I will continue to work to build the fairer, safer, greener, and more prosperous London that all the capital's communities deserve," he added.
He also faced opposition to the honour, when Conservative London councillor Matthew Goodwin-Freeman launched a petition to stop the knighthood, which gained 200,000 signatures.
What is a knighthood award?
Knighthood is an honor and title given in Britain to those who have given long-term and important services to the nation. Apart from this, people who have made a significant impact at a global or international level are also given this title. People who receive knighthood are considered knights and are given the title of 'Sir'.