Pictures of the day: Sir Daniel Day-Lewis is made a knight by Prince William
http://t.co/NojRwEN1kz pic.twitter.com/MxjV3i9F4p
— HuffPostUK Pictures (@HuffPostUKPics) November 14, 2014
I always think it’s interesting to see who gets honored with some kind of title by the Queen and/or royal family. These days, the Queen outsources some of her knighting and dame-ing duties to Prince Charles and Prince William, although the Queen still shows up for some people. Like, The Queen handled Angelina Jolie’s dame-ing. But the Queen didn’t feel like doing the knighting today, so she sent William in her place. So William was the one to knight Daniel Day-Lewis!
Multiple Oscar-winning actor Daniel Day-Lewis has been knighted by the Duke of Cambridge. The 57-year-old Lincoln star, the only person to win an Academy Award for best actor three times, was honoured at Buckingham Palace for services to drama.
Clean-shaven, with short, grey hair and dressed in traditional morning dress, the acclaimed and notably private Anglo-Irish actor declined to speak to the media after being honoured by William. Sir Daniel was made a knight in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in June, saying at the time he was “entirely amazed and utterly delighted in equal measure”.
He won his first Oscar for his role as a disabled writer in 1989’s My Left Foot, and a second for his turn as an early 20th century oilman in 2007’s There Will Be Blood. He completed his hat-trick by playing assassinated US president Abraham Lincoln in 2012. Other high-profile roles include Guildford Four member Gerry Conlon in the film In The Name Of The Father, an adopted native American in The Last Of The Mohicans and a brutal butcher in Martin Scorsese’s Gangs Of New York.
Sir Daniel, who grew up in south London and has dual British and Irish citizenship, is fiercely private and lives in Co Wicklow, Ireland, with wife Rebecca Miller – daughter of playwright Arthur Miller – and their two sons. The son of former poet laureate Cecil Day-Lewis and actress Jill Balcon, he has been nominated five times for the best actor Oscar and has a reputation for taking his method acting very seriously, including staying in character off-screen as well as on during filming.
I seem to remember that DDL might have American citizenship as well? He married an American, so he would certainly be eligible for American citizenship, and I believe all of his sons were born in America. Plus, DDL and Rebecca Miller actually do live in NYC for some/most of the year. So… does DDL have triple citizenship in Ireland, Britain and America? To go along with his triple Oscar wins? Wonderful.
Anyway, this is just for all of the people tired of excessive Bendy Cumber coverage. Some DDL for you to enjoy.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Fame/Flynet.
The order system is so archaic.
True. Nobody really cares. William is slouching AND there’s people talking in the background!! Where is the respect that this ceremony calls for?
I don’t think such a ridiculous system demands respect but that’s just me.
My goodness, DDL is handsome.
More than handsome, he is beautiful. Always has been.
DDL!! I love him so much. An incredible actor, and as gorgeous today as he was in My Beautiful Laundrette. DDL FTW!
Agree totally. He’s completely singular, and not in an old Hollywood way (that’s George Clooney). He transcends all that.
I think the knighthood amused him. His expression seems to say, “WTF. This is another totally weird experience.” Rather like his obsession with shoemaking, I guess, or his complete immersion into his roles.
Kaiser forgot to mention DDL’s oldest son Gabriel, whom he had with French actress Isabelle Adjani. I think he’s in college now.
A face made for an artist to sculpt. He’s classic.
i thought same thing..sexy older dude
Maybe he should be People’s SMA?
Yes, yes , yes Damn He is like FINE wine.
Well deserved Sir Lewis.
This is awesome. I love Daniel Day-Lewis!!!
Well deserved and he looks fantastic.
Yes, he’s looking lovely these days.
What’s the point of being knighted or made a Dame? Is it just the honor or do they actually have to do something, like some kind of English monarchy related work? Are they now a part of the British aristocracy? Do they get invited to royal functions? Do they now have to be ambassadors of Britain/ British culture? If not, it seems like a pretty useless title to get.
It’s basically something to keep the memories of the “good old British Empire” alive. Of course it recognises people who have achieved a lot in their given path but there are other ways that they could do that.
Thanks for the explanation.
It’s just a form of recognition, they don’t have to do any sort of work they are not part of the aristocracy as those title have to be hereditary. They may get invited to receptions, to do with the arts but not proper state occasions.
Okay, so these titles are about as useful as when random colleges/universities give celebs doctorate degrees so they can call themselves Dr. *insert celeb name*? I don’t know it seems pretty lame to me, but thanks for the explanation.
jinni you have found a very good comparison! And you are welcome.
It is an honour awarded for public service. There is always an annual outcry about why certain people (entertainers in particular) are given knighthoods but ‘regular’ people get lower honours.
Fun fact: there are approx 22 investitures held at Buckingham Palace annually. Not surprised Her Maj is farming them out to the boys!
Is their a particular reason why regular people who do a great public service aren’t given knighthoods?
Every country gives civil awards. These are just ours. No actual difference to those given out in the US such as congressional medals and whathaveyous: they recognise individual achievements that either embody or benefit the body politic. British ones are as they are because we have a long history, that’s all. My next door-but-one neighbour has an MBE for her charity work.
IDK, being knighted or being made a Dame seems a bit fancier than a regular civil award especially since they get a title with it. But if that’s all they then okay. Thanks.
Being knighted or made a dame is simply the top level of a whole system of civil awards. Hence going about with the the sir or the dame in front of your name. Nothing else; nothing class-system based at all. I think you’re conflating two different things in your mind. Even the lowest level awards get investitures at Buck House. My neighbour’s was done by Her Maj. Does that make her fancier than DDL because his wasn’t? Of course not.
+1 Sixer
The American equivalent would be the Kennedy Center Honors. This year’s recipients will be Al Green, Tom Hanks, Patricia McBride, Sting, and Lily Tomlin.
It’s just a fancy title. You can go to England and buy titles if I’m not mistaken. I don’t see the point of it ,but it means something to a lot of people.
Don’t conflate the civil awards system (the top level of which allows you to carry a title of Sir or Dame) with the peerage. Two entirely different things.
It’s a sign of achievement. UK’s finest actors get knighted because they do serve as cultural ambassadors for the rest of the world. Whether you approve of the class system or the idea of a knighthood, these people do earn their titles at least.
Jinni: several things:
1. Ordinary people do get dame’d and Knighted. They don’t receive the same level of media exposure because the public isn’t interested in them. They might warrant a mention in their local paper, but certainly not the main media.
The lists of everyone being honoured go into the 00s, the investitures take place all year, 20something ceremonies of several hundred each in all, and everyone has their picture taken as they are being knighted/Dame’d or whatever honour they are receiving. Only those of interest to gossip media make it into the main news.
2. Having a Knighthood or a Dame title means you can sit in the house of Lords (the upper house in Parliament) and argue for or against laws. The House of Lords are typically apolitical and can shut down whatever laws the lower house (the house of Commons) wishes to put forth if they don’t like it.
3. Socially being a knight or Dame probably means you get better service at restaurants. Probably means you can jump the queue to get into the royal enclosure at Ascot, but other than that, meh!!
On a different note, does anyone know if Baldrick’s investiture has taken place yet? Now that’s a photo I want to see, even if he was knighted for services to labour rather than being awesome as Baldrick!!!!
+1 LAK…
… except that “normal” dames and knights can’t sit in the House of Lords. They need to be appointed life peers to do that – eg Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson was subsequently made Baroness and that’s why she sits in the HoL.
@LAK: Thanks
Sixer: I didn’t know that. Thanks for info. 🙂 do you know if hereditary peers automatically sit in the house? I ask because Tony Benn’s son is trying to ressurrect the title that Tony abandoned in order to be an MP. I thought once abandoned, that was it, unless Madge thought to return it to the family.
@LAK – they removed most of the hereditary peers but left 92 of them in a fudge. When one of them dies, the other non-sitting peers hold a ballot among themselves to replace them. Otherwise, you have to be a life peer, a bishop or a law lord judge.
I think!
It’s like what we do here with our Medals of Honor at Kennedy Center every year, at least where artists are concerned. For others we have Medals of Freedom, etc.
And either way, there or here, it is an honor to be recognized, ya know?
I love this man – one of my favourite actors and a well deserved knighthood.
He just lets his talent do the talk and just lives his life in private – No drama, PR games etc
I would love it if Daniel signs on to Angelina Jolie’s next directorial movie “Africa” as Richard Leakey.
Two of my fav celebs in one movie would be amazing.
Daniel still looks so handsome and sexy. He’s ageing beautifully.
SWOON!
Might I HONK?!
i sure could use that funny velvet hat of his to contain the drool he just inspired.
le sigh.
best actor of his generation, hands down.
I agree.
True, he’s AMAZING.
This post just made my week. DDL is an incredible actor–the best ever, imo– who’s classy and handsome to boot. All three of his Oscar acceptance speeches are works of gracious art in themselves, the last two being lovely tributes to his wife Rebecca as well. I COULD NOT LOVE HIM MORE!!!!!!
Yes. Gracious is a word that always come up when I think or see anything about him.
I wouldn’t know if he’s that gracious in his very private life, but his public persona is flawless.
I just wish he would grace our screens more often 🙂
DDL is my first big Brit actor crush – I’ve loved him since the 80s when My Beautiful Launderette came out. I even studied film in Ireland because of him.
I must say that he has aged REALLY well!! He looks hot!! I think I’ll revisit my DDL inner fangurl since Bendy has become so disappointing (and odious!!!).
HRH Grandma was sick or something? Well deserved, love Daniel Day-Lewis.
She sometimes has Charles or William stand in because wielding the sword multiple times is too tiring at her age. It’s apparently quite heavy. I’m sure those with it swinging over their head are appreciative!
Oh and did you know that in his spare time, DDL is a cobbler? He used to be into carpentry, but now it’s shoe-making. I would love for him to make me a pair of boots!
Is it odd that I recognize Judi Dench chatting in the back? Daniel is a hottie! Not to mention crazy talented, of course. Thanks for the break from Cumberbitch, however long it will last.
I recognized Dame Judi fight away as well. I love DDL– such a talent. He gets Oscars without campaigning, which is such a relief. I fell in love with him as the beauty (those green eyes, that gorgeous hair!!) in Last of the Mohicans. He and Madeline Stowe made such a magnificent couple. He still looks good too.
I did not realize the honors were given out almost one at a time. Maybe it is scheduling. Maybe the Queen wants some of the duties to be shared by William and Charles. I think Charles knighted someone recently as well. She has probably met Sir Daniel but had never met Angelina, so she did hers personally.
Congratulations to Sir Daniel.
The investiture ceremony is several hundred people. Each receives their honour personally and a photo taken of the moment.
The famous ones make it into the news. No one cares about Joe Bloggs’s investiture even if their honour is for something much more important than the famous person. Therefore Joe Bloggs’s investiture never makes it into the papers.
So the Queen decides to dame The Jolie herself and was cheesing doing it but outsources the knighting DDL to the work shy prince, the things that make you go hmmm…
Does that mean the queen is a girl’s girl and William is a boy’s boy, so many questions and so little answers.
I don’t put too much store by these ‘honours’ but I’m amazed that DDL hasn’t been knighted before, when the likes of Damien Lewis, who is a decade younger and basically a TV actor, has.
Damien Lewis has not been knighted. He is an OBE which is a much lower honour and is awarded much more often.
Vintage scandal: He has a son with French actress Isabelle Adjani. She claims she was kindly dumped by him when he discovered she was pregnant. Apparently he send her a fax.
But I still find him one of the hottest man on planet earth.
Actually no, the ‘dumped by fax’ story isn’t true, and Adjani has since explicitly denied it.
I didn’t know that!
What I read from previous posts–or the impression I got–was that Daniel and Isabelle had a very volatile relationship, and were constantly dumping each other. So when they had broken up when she was pregnant, it wasn’t because she was pregnant, but because they were two a-holes who couldn’t stay away from each other.
Love him. A real actor. No games just acting…. Last of the Mohicans made we weep….
The whole British system is outdated, pathetic and embarrassing for all involved.
It really brings home how stupid it is when you have a man like prince William, who does nothing and shows no inclination to change the world, is bestowing honours on talented and driven people. I don’t think I could bring myself to be knighted, I’d just be rolling my eyes at the idea PW had anything useful to give me
ha ha, when you put it like that….
I don’t like seeing THAT man bow to THAT man.
+1 One is universally respected in his generation, with numerous accomplishments to his name (including one no one else on earth has). The other is the heir to the throne.
Something lovely all around. DDL looks amazing! I think it is a very great honor to be so recognized for excellence by one’s own country. It’s not got anything to do with the peer system-it’s a recognition of great achievement, and he completely deserves it. He is one of the greatest actors of all time.
Thanks for acknowledging the excessive bendy coverage! Crikey. 😉
DDL deserves every honor there is!
My favourite actor ever. In The Name Of The Father is my all-time favourite movie. It’s actually what got me interested in Northern Ireland’s Troubles, and I ended up doing an MA in it. He’s just incredible in every performance.
So Daniel´s knight-ing photo shows a bored William and people chatting in the background? Ehmm nice…
Daniel looks more regal than William. You can see the difference. The one man does something with his life while the other man just “exists”.
Except DDL has an actual Knighthood now and I doubt he would make a big deal out of it. Angelina’s is an honorary one and quite frankly its nothing special and she made a fuss big about it. 1000 other people met wit the Queen that day same day as her. Atleast DDL is being honoured without the influence of hobnobbing with William Hague or whoever.
Both honors are nice, but besides being the best actor of his generation which is great, what makes his better (and being American kind of precludes Angelina getting a real one anyway)? And who made a fuss about Angelina’s (well her husband did, but that is expected, but Angelina didn’t) and apparently, as I was informed, others were also there for DDL’s honor, so seems neither got special treatment. I respect both for whatever reasons they were honored.
The fact that Angelina received it “privately” with the Queen suggests that she made a big deal about it. I love Angelina but that was an unprecedented move.
@Hazel. Whose choice was it to be private? I don’t think the Queen does things on an Actor’s schedule or choice. I like Angelina too, but she is not that powerful.
God he’s handsome (DDL, not William).
Well-deserved. Stellar actor of the first order.
Nothing but respect for him: he totally upped the performance bar for anyone playing Lincoln.
I kind of agree. The bar for getting a knighthood has been lowered dramatically. It used to be people who did something important for society. But nowadays the Royal family seems to try to stay relevant by knighting people who are generally well-liked.
Well deserved. This should have happened a long time ago.
DDL is a damn fine looking man and one of the finest actors working today. So glad he is being honoured for his hard work and talent.
Prince William, on the other hand, looks as ecstatic about actually working as Bendy does about getting engaged.