Martin Amis, a British author who passed away from cancer last month, received a knighthood when King Charles III announced his first birthday honors list on Friday.
The awards recognize both well-known and regular citizens for outstanding achievement and are presented at New Year’s and to commemorate the sovereign’s formal birthday in June.
Before passing away at the age of 73 at his Florida home, Amis, the author of “Money,” “London Fields,” and “Time’s Arrow,” who had called the British royal family “philistines,” accepted the honor.
The recipients are informed in confidence before the list is made public.
According to sources, the knighthood, which would have given Amis the title of “Sir Martin,” will be issued on May 18, the day before his passing.
Ben Okri, a British-Nigerian poet and author, and Stephen Frears, a director whose movie “The Queen” chronicled the turmoil the royal family experienced when Princess Diana died, also received the title “sir.”
Amis’ friend and fellow author Ian McEwan and US-based Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour were named companions of honor, joining a small club of people who have been honored for significant contributions to their area (never numbering more than 65).
Kingsley Amis, the father of author Amis, was occasionally critical of the monarchy and was also knighted. He did, however, call Charles “charming… and very knowledgeable” in 2011, despite the fact that “he has an extraordinary laugh, like a pig’s snore.”
