The Honorary Knighthood : KBE Award

Blog Credit: Trupti Thakur

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The Honorary Knighthood : The Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) Award

 

Bharti Enterprises founder and chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal has become the first Indian citizen to be awarded Honorary Knighthood, the Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE), by King Charles III for advancing India-UK business relations.

“I am deeply humbled by this gracious recognition from His Majesty, King Charles. UK and India have historical relations, which are now entering a new era of increased cooperation and collaboration. I remain committed to working towards strengthening the economic and bilateral trade relationships between our two great nations,” Mittal said.

“I am thankful to the Government of the UK, whose support and keen attention to the needs of business has been critical in making the country an attractive investment destination.”

The KBE is among the highest honors conferred by the British Sovereign to civilians. It is awarded in an honorary capacity to foreign nationals.

About:

The Royal Victorian Order is an order of knighthood awarded by the sovereign of the United Kingdom and several Commonwealth realms. It is granted personally by the monarch and recognizes personal service to the monarchy, the Royal Household, royal family members, and the organization of important royal events. The order was officially created and instituted on 23 April 1896 by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm by Queen Victoria. It was instituted with five grades, the two highest of which were Knight Grand Cross (GCVO) and Knight Commander (KCVO), which conferred the status of knighthood on holders (apart from foreigners, who typically received honorary awards not entitling them to the style of a knight). Women were not admitted until Edward VIII altered the statutes of the order in 1936; those receiving the highest two awards were styled dames and those grades, when conferred on women, are Dame Grand Cross and Dame Commander (DCVO).

No limit was placed on the number of appointments that could be made. King Charles III has appointed 7 Knights Commanders and 4 Dames Commanders since his accession in 2022.

In Short

• Sunil Bharti Mittal receives Honorary Knighthood.
• First Indian to be bestowed with KBE title.
• Award recognizes his role in strengthening India-UK business ties

Bharti Enterprises founder and chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal, has become the first Indian citizen to receive an Honorary Knighthood.

The award was conferred by King Charles III, granting Mittal the title of Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE), recognizing his contributions to fostering stronger business ties between India and the UK.

Expressing his gratitude, Mittal said, “I am deeply humbled by this gracious recognition from His Majesty, King Charles. UK and India share historical relations, which are now entering a new era of increased cooperation and collaboration. I remain committed to working towards strengthening the economic and bilateral trade relationships between our two great nations.”

Mittal also acknowledged the crucial role played by the UK government in creating an attractive investment environment.

“I am thankful to the Government of the UK, whose support and keen attention to the needs of business has been critical in making the country an attractive investment destination,” he said.

An honorary Knighthood is one of the highest honors granted by the British Sovereign to civilians, conferred upon foreign nationals in recognition of their exceptional contributions.

 

 

 

Blog By :  Trupti Thakur