Britain Thanks Spielberg With Knighthood
January 30 -- Quick, get wardrobe on the phone and find Steven Spielberg a suit of armor! The filmmaker was named an honorary knight by Britain Monday, an award bestowed upon him for his contribution to that country's movie industry.
The Saving Private Ryan director received the honor during a brief but festive ceremony at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., which also included a dinner for his family and friends. Spielberg arrived with his wife, Kate Capshaw, while high-profile guests like Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, actress Holly Hunter, and Sen. John Warner of Virginia also attended.
"The truth is, I stand before you now and I'm — a knight," Spielberg told Reuters. "This is the stuff that all of our childhood fantasies come from. You know, courtliness, civility, and honor."
The veteran director said he was surprised by the honor — which he originally believed was reserved only for British subjects — and at first thought it was a trick played by someone who wanted him to read an unsolicited script.
"The award of an honorary knighthood to Steven Allan Spielberg is in recognition of his unique and outstanding contribution to international film, and in particular, his services to the entertainment industry of the United Kingdom," said British Ambassador Sir Christopher Meyer, who gave Spielberg the award on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II.
Meyer noted that Spielberg's films, which include the blockbusters ET and Jurassic Park, have helped double the amount of box-office receipts in Britain since the early 1980s.
He lauded Spielberg for using British cast and crew members on his movie sets, as well as bringing significant U.S. investment to the U.K. by producing and directing Saving Private Ryan there.
A few other Americans have received the queen's honorary knighthood, including Secretary of State Colin Powell, former President George Bush, and comedian Bob Hope.
Reuters contributed to this story.
Related Stories
ABC News Live