Music

Kenneth Branagh knighted by queen

Actor Kenneth Branagh arrives at the 18th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles on January 29, 2012. UPI/Jim Ruymen

License photo

Published: June 16, 2012 at 4:33 PM

LONDON, June 16 (UPI) -- Actor Kenneth Branagh said he was thrilled at being knighted by Queen Elizabeth as part of the sovereign's annual birthday honors.

Branagh and fellow actor Kate Winslet were among the dozens of Britons up for various royal honors Saturday.

Branagh, 51, star of such British films as "Henry V" and "Harry Potter," said that as a kid, he dreamed of playing soccer for Northern Ireland's national side. "I could only imagine how proud you might feel," he said. "My heart is fit to burst."

Winslet was named Commander of the British Empire, joining entertainers such as actor Jenny Agutter, Take That singer Gary Barlow and songwriter Richard Stilgoe who were bestowed the Order of the British Empire.

The conglomeration of commemorations also included nearly 300 "ordinary" Britons who received the British Empire Medal, which was revived for the queen's Diamond Jubilee after being discontinued in 1991.

Topics: Kenneth Branagh, Kate Winslet, Elizabeth II, Henry V, Jenny Agutter

Most Popular Collections

'Star Trek Into Darkness' screening	NBC upfronts	Met Ball 2013
'Great Gatsby' premieres in New York	Spire raised on top of One WTC	2013: Celebrity break ups and divorces

Additional Music Stories
Entertainment News Prince William excited about impending fatherhood LONDON, May 25 (UPI) -- Britain's Prince William expressed his excitement at being a new dad during a visit to a London charity, a charity official said. Disneyland open 24 hours straight to kick off summer Larry Hagman's granddaughter allegedly stole family jewelry Russian pays $1.5M to go to space with DiCaprio at Cannes auction Iranian student at Chicago film school wins Cannes short film prize	Top News Hacking suspect had been recruited by MI5: friend LONDON, May 25 (UPI) -- Michael Adebolajo, a suspect in the hacking death of a soldier, had been offered a job by a British intelligence service six months before, a friend says. At least 17 children dead in school bus explosion Court bans detention practices by Ariz. sheriff against Latinos Obama asks Americans to honor fallen soldiers on Memorial Day Radiation leak at Japanese nuclear lab
Business News Fatburger to go national with Walmart locations LOS ANGELES, May 25 (UPI) -- A hamburger brand known for its size and its status among celebrities, Fatburger, is about to go national, said the company, which was started in California. Putin: Business amnesty bill needs changes Putin calls for stronger intellectual property protection China, Switzerland, sign free-trade pact FTC looks at Google again on antitrust concerns	Odd News Your Daily Horoscope UPI horoscopes for Saturday, May 25, 2013. The almanac Marathoner chases down suspected purse snatcher Irish grandmother locks three suspected thieves in farmyard 'Potty Party' inaugurates public restroom