Spielberg becomes an honorary knight

Steven Spielberg has became the newest honorary knight of the British Empire.

It is one of the highest honours bestowed by the Queen to those born outside the UK.

The Hollywood director received the award at the British Embassy in Washington.

The honorary title is for those born outside the UK who make outstanding contributions to society.

British ambassador Sir Christopher Meyer, said: "Mr Spielberg's career has had a global impact.

"But the impact in the United Kingdom stands out. His films helped significantly in the doubling of cinema admission in the UK since the early 1980s."

As an honorary knight, Spielberg is ineligible for the elements of full knighthood, best known from literature and cinema. Nor will he be addressed as "Sir".

But just the same, the director of such films as Raiders of the Lost Ark, ET, Jurassic Park, Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan, joins an elite list of American honorary knights.

Others include former presidents George Bush and Ronald Reagan, secretary of state Colin Powell, retired General Norman Schwarzkopf, comedian Bob Hope and conductor Andre Previn.