June 20, 2019
Ralph Lauren is being honored with an honorary knighthood. Image credit: Ralph Lauren
U.S. fashion designer Ralph Lauren has been named an Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) for Services to Fashion.
In a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace on June 19, Mr. Lauren was presented with the title by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. Mr. Lauren has become the first American designer to be given this title, and he joins other U.S. figures such as former presidents.
Honorary knight
Established in 1917, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire recognizes individuals for their contributions to the United Kingdom. Her Majesty the Queen awards the merit-based titles, which are based on recommendations from the foreign and commonwealth secretary.
In addition to his work in fashion, Mr. Lauren is a philanthropist whose outreach focuses on helping individuals who would otherwise not receive quality care for cancer.
In 2016, The Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research at The Royal Marsden opened, expanding the brand’s 20-year efforts in the fight against the disease.
This center focuses on breast cancer tumors at a molecular level, establishing the differences between growths in different women to be able to better target treatments for individual patients. Cancer is a personal cause for Mr. Lauren, and the partnership with the Duke of Cambridge and The Royal Marsden is poised to make a difference in how the disease is treated (see story).
Mr. Lauren will be furthering his support of the Royal Marsden by helping to fund the building of a new facility in Sutton, England. The Oak Cancer Centre will be situated at the Royal Marsden and will house a team of 300 researchers and will treat about 140,000 patients annually.
Ralph Lauren received his title from Prince Charles. Image courtesy of Ralph Lauren
Following the ceremony, Mr. Lauren may include “KBE” following his name. Since Mr. Lauren is not a British citizen, his title is honorary, and he will not be a “sir.”
Other honorary knights and dames from the United States include politicians such as former Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush and mayors Rudolph Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg. The honor has also been conferred to Angelina Jolie, Steven Spielberg, Bill and Melinda Gates and Angela Ahrendts.
Mr. Lauren has been recognized with other international honors. He was previously named French Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur, earning an honorary knighthood.
Share your thoughts. Click here
