Honorary Knighthood For Bono

Irish rocker and humanitarian Bono is about to receive a new honor: a knighthood from Britain. But don't call him "Sir."

The U2 frontman will receive his honorary knighthood from the British ambassador to Ireland, David Reddaway, in a Dublin ceremony shortly after New Year's Day.

But because the Dubliner, whose real name is Paul Hewson, is not a national of Britain or the Commonwealth of former British colonies, he will not be entitled to use the title "Sir."

In a letter to Bono released Saturday, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the singer's lobbying had spurred leaders of the Group of Eight nations to focus on increasing aid to Africa during a summit last year in Scotland.

"I know from talking to you how much these causes matter to you," Blair wrote. "I know as well how knowledgeable you are about the problems we face and how determined you are to do all you can to help overcome them. You have tirelessly used your voice to speak up for Africa."

Blair said he hoped to keep working with Bono "to work together to maintain momentum on Africa, and ensure leaders around the world meet the promises they have made."

In a statement posted on the band's Web site, www.u2.com, Bono was reported to be "very flattered" and hoped that the honor would open doors "for his long standing campaigning work against extreme poverty in Africa."

The British Embassy in Dublin said it sought and received the agreement of the Irish government for granting Bono the award. The issue has been diplomatically sensitive in the past, because Irish government officials are legally barred from receiving British royal honors and other Irish nationals have refused nominations on political grounds.

Ireland withdrew from the Commonwealth in 1949.

Previous non-British nationals to receive a knighthood include Bono's fellow Dubliner and rocker-turned-humanitarian Bob Geldof, Microsoft Corp. billionaire Bill Gates, Spanish opera singer Placido Domingo, Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal, former New York Mayor Rudolf Giuliani and U.S. film director Steven Spielberg.