He’s Now a Knight, But He Reigns as Rex

Actor Rex Harrison was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at a Buckingham Palace ceremony today and said it was “a marvelous moment.”

After the ceremony, he formally will be called Sir Reginald but said he preferred Sir Rex, for the nickname he has used throughout his career.

The 81-year-old actor, best known for his Oscar-winning role as Henry Higgins in the movie “My Fair Lady,” was awarded the knighthood in recognition of his services to the arts.

“I think they rather like to leave awarding honors until you get to a certain age,” he said. “It was a marvelous moment kneeling there and getting tapped on each shoulder.”

Knights must kneel before the queen, who taps them on both shoulders with a sword as part of the ceremony.

Harrison, who plans to star in Somerset Maugham’s comedy “The Circle” on Broadway this fall, said he has no plans to retire because “I wouldn’t know what to do.”