Ralph Lauren receives honorary UK knighthood for services to fashion
American fashion designer, businessman, and philanthropist, Ralph Lauren, who celebrates the 50th anniversary of his brand this year, has been made an Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE).
Lauren is the first-ever American fashion designer to be recognised with an honorary knighthood. Other notable American recipients of honorary UK knighthoods or damehoods include former Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, and George HW Bush, former New York City Mayors Michael Bloomberg and Rudolph Giuliani, Angelina Jolie, Steven Spielberg, Bill and Melinda Gates, and Angela Ahrendts.
The honorary knighthood insignia will be presented to Mr. Lauren by a representative of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at a ceremony next year. The UK honours system recognises exceptional achievement and service to the nation, and includes non-British nationals who receive "Honorary" awards for their important contribution to British interests.
Antony Phillipson, British Consul General to New York and Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for North America, says: “I warmly congratulate Ralph Lauren on this award that recognises his efforts and achievements over the past 50 years, in which he has played a key role in forging transatlantic cultural and economic connections. As creator and visionary of the Ralph Lauren brand worldwide, Mr. Lauren has been a vanguard for the global fashion industry and American style for nearly half a century.
“In addition, monumental philanthropic efforts, especially in the realm of public health, cancer research and treatment in both the US and the UK, have led to benefits felt by citizens around the world.”
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire was founded in 1917. Mr. Lauren may forthwith put ‘KBE’ after his name if he wishes.
