Bill Gates gets some Knightage

[Mi_Tes]

Bill Gates, honored by queen, 'delighted' to be knighted

LONDON (AP) - You still don't have to call him sir, but Bill Gates is now a knight.

Queen Elizabeth gave the tycoon an honorary knighthood in a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace today.

As an American, the Microsoft founder isn't entitled to use "Sir" before his name, but he can put the initials "K-B-E" after it. That stands for Knight Commander of the British Empire.

Gates is being honored for his charitable work around the world and his contribution to the British technology industry.

Clutching his silver medallion in a small black box with velvet lining, Gates told reporters outside the palace that he'd received "a great honor."

[WayAbvPar]

Can you get dual citizenship? Being a Sir would rule.

[SirBruce]

Yes, but some countries may have restrictions on accepting a title even if you have dual citizenship.  (There was a big thing in Canada over this.)  The US isn't one of them, though.

Bruce

[Strazos]

I remember there was an ad for this company that you paid to buy land in England for you, and you'd get a title....Dunno how legit it was.

[MaceVanHoffen]

I remember there was an ad for this company that you paid to buy land in England for you, and you'd get a title....Dunno how legit it was.

It sounds legit.  The title of Earl of Bath (interestingly enough, his titled land is near Bath but not actually in that town) was purchased a few years back and is now owned by a rather eccentric English gentlemen.  You can find out how eccentric if you head to Longleat castle, which I highly recommend.  This kind of thing probably happens all the time.