MOSCOW, October 7 (RIA Novosti) - Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been awarded honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II for his philanthropic endeavors, outstanding entrepreneurial activities and significant contribution to the establishment of friendly UK-US relations, the Telegraph reported on Monday.
Such acknowledgment “is especially meaningful to me because of my close personal, business, and philanthropic ties to London and Britain, which stretch back four decades," Mr. Bloomberg said in a statement, published by the Telegraph.
Mr. Bloomberg, who held the post of the Mayor of New York from 2002-2013, is the head of prominent US-based financial software company Bloomberg L.P., whose revenue totaled $8.3 billion in 2013. According to Daily Mail, he donated more than £42.4 million ($67.8 million) to UK charities, contributed to the creations of new jobs and gave outstanding support to the British arts and education.
Being a US citizen, Mr. Bloomberg won’t be able to use title “Sir” before his name. However, he can use the letters KBE, referring to Knight Commander, after his name instead.
According to Huffington Post, Mr. Bloomberg is not the first US citizen knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. Among prominent Americans awarded honorary knighthoods are film director Steven Spielberg, business magnate and philanthropist Bill Gates as well as actress and UN special envoy Angelina Jolie.
