John Williams Receives Honorary Knighthood of the British Empire

The 91-year-old composer has been awarded the title for his contributions to film music

In a recent award ceremony, John Williams officially received his Honorary Knighthood of the Order of the British Empire (KBE), after it was first announced in 2022 for his services to film music. 

The KBE honor is typically given to non-Britons who have made important contributions to the relations between Britain and their own country, according to the Hollywood Reporter. 

The award is formally known as Knight Commander of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Williams’ fellow KBE recipient is Robert Iger, the former chairman and CEO of the Disney Company.

The ceremony held at the British Embassy in Washington D.C. presented honorary titles and awards to eight U.S. citizens who have made significant contributions and created positive change. 

Williams received his award from Dame Karen Pierce, British Ambassador to the U.S. (PC: British Embassy Washington)

Williams was among the larger 2022 class of approved honorary British awards that were bestowed by Queen Elizabeth II, who died on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96.

A five-time Academy Award winner and recipient of 25 GRAMMY Awards, Williams is a 2004 Kennedy Center Honoree and his 90th Birthday Celebration was held in June 2022 at Washington, D.C’s Kennedy Center. 

Across his career, he has received three Emmy Awards and more than 20 GRAMMY Awards. He has also been nominated for more than 50 Academy Awards — five of which he won.

In early 2022, Williams had announced plans to step away from film scoring after almost 70 years of creating iconic themes for films such as Jaws, Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, and many more. Though he will continue with concert writing, he has scored what he expects to be his final two films: The Fabelmans, and the fifth installment in the Indiana Jones series.