Queen Knights Bob Geldof, but Don’t Call Him Sir Bob

Queen Elizabeth II today awarded Irish rock star Bob Geldof an honorary knighthood in recognition of his work in organizing Band Aid and other concerts that raised millions of dollars for the starving people of Africa, the Foreign Office announced.

Because he is not a British citizen, Geldof will not be Sir Bob Geldof, but Bob Geldof, KBE--which stands for Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. The award was made on Foreign Secretary Sir Geoffrey Howe’s recommendation.

The absence of Geldof’s name from the queen’s regular list of knighthoods and other honors at New Year’s brought sharp public criticism of the government, which selects the people to be honored by the queen.