
'I'm convinced Queen Camilla played key role in my knighthood after unexpected question'
Just months after receiving his knighthood in June 2025, acting legend Sir Gary Oldman has revealed that he is convinced that Queen Camilla had a part to play in the decision that saw him receive the prestigious title.
For years, Sir Gary has lit up our screens with Oscar winning performances for the likes of his portrayal of Sir Winston Churchill in the historical drama Darkest Hour in 2017, but he believes it was actually one of his more recent performances that secured his knighthood, after a surprising remark from Queen Camilla.
In a recent comment to the Daily Mail, Sir Gary reflected on his tremendous achievement, admitting that it was possibly thanks to the intervention of King Charles ' wife that he was knighted earlier this year.
Revealing that the Royal had waxed lyrical about his portrayal of Jackson Lamb in the Apple TV drama Slow Horses, she then stopped him to ask: "Are there any more?", with Sir Gary adding that he believes the King and Queen are fans of the show.
According to the Government's website, there are three stages to the complete before someone can receive an honour.
The first stage of the process sees names drawn up by the Honours Committee, who are also tasked with deciding the honours each individuals should receive, the next phase sees that list handed over to the current Prime Minister for approval. Once those stages have been completed, it is then the King who awards the honour.
This year saw a number of new inductees into the honours list, with the likes of The Who frontman Sir Roger Daltrey, and former Manchester United footballer Sir David Beckham receiving knighthoods.
Meanwhile, they were joined by Evita and Cats star Dame Elaine Paige, author Dame Pat Barker and former Conservative MP Dame Penny Mordaunt.
Away from recently being awarded a knighthood, Sir Gary has long since been considered one of the finest actors of his generation.
He initially shot to fame when he played Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious in the 1986 biopic Sid and Nancy, which dramatised the couple's controversial time together.
Since then, the 67-year-old has cemented his position as one of the most respected British actors with roles in a number of popular films including in JFK (1991), where he played Lee Harvey Oswald in the dramatisation of the former US president's assassination.
He has also gone on to appear in various other roles, most notably, playing Sirius Black in the Harry Potter franchise.
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