posted 01-26-2004 02:30 PM                    

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No sir, but Gates will be knighted

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER STAFF AND NEW SERVICES

Bill Gates will be knighted in recognition of his contribution to enterprise in Britain.
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Gates

Gates, 48, who is the world's richest man, will receive the honorary knighthood at an unspecified date that is "mutually convenient," the Foreign Office said.

Because he is not a British citizen, the Microsoft Corp. chairman cannot use "Sir" in front of his name, but he can put the letters KBE -- Knight Commander of the British Empire -- after it.

Honorary awards to foreign nationals are conferred by Queen Elizabeth II on the advice of Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. "He is one of the most important global business leaders of this age," Straw said. "Microsoft technology has transformed business practices."

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(Please note they didn't say "transformed business practices for the better.)

posted 01-26-2004 11:40 PM                    

This just keeps getting stranger. Now Gates thinks he has learned all he needs to know about knighthood from the movies (and from the folks who gave junk e-mail its processed-meaty name)...

From Reuters UK:

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Gates looks to Monty Python's tips on knighthood
Mon 26 January, 2004 18:13

LONDON (Reuters) - Microsoft's Bill Gates, the world's richest man, is looking to classic comedy for clues on what to expect when he receives an honorary knighthood from the Queen.

"All I know about the ceremony is what I saw on Monty Python," Gates told a conference in London on Monday.

He was referring to the cult comedy troupe, whose film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" featured the mythical King Arthur roving through mediaeval England recruiting knights.

Gates, co-founder and chairman of the software giant, will receive the honour from the queen in recognition of his contribution to enterprise.

The ceremony will take place at Buckingham Palace, but no date has yet been set.

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