Idris Elba has taken to social media to address his knighthood. While Elba is known for his impressive acting career, he received the honor for his real-world contributions. Following the ceremony, the actor posted a message of gratitude on Instagram.
Idris Elba shares message after being awarded knighthood
The Luther star just received a knighthood and now will be recognized as Sir Idris Elba. King Charles III awarded him the honor in recognition of his services to young people. The ceremony took place on Tuesday, June 2, at Windsor Castle in England.
Shortly after the ceremony, the actor took to Instagram to offer his gratitude. He shared the post from the official The Royal Family page and wrote his message beneath it. It read, “We are thankful. The work continues.”
He also posted a short clip of himself celebrating his new Arsenal jersey, which now has his new title, “Sir Elba,” and the number 7 on the back. He simply captioned it, “Ole! Ole! Ole! @arsenal”
A knighthood (for men) or damehood (for women) is one of the highest honors in the United Kingdom. The monarch awards it to the country’s citizens who have made significant contributions to society, in fields such as charity, science, arts, and sports.
Notably, Sir Idris Elba received the recognition for his socially impactful works through his Elba Hope Foundation. It is an organization that he co-founded with his wife, Sabrina Dhowre Elba, in 2022. It focuses on youth development and empowerment in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and across Africa. The foundation achieves its goal by working with other non-profit organizations to tackle issues such as food security and youth unemployment.
Furthermore, The Wire star is also an advocate for knife violence. He launched an awareness campaign, Don’t Stop Your Future, in 2018. It works with local communities to amplify a voice against knife-related violence. The profits from merchandise sold on the site are reportedly used to support their cause.
