British actor Idris Elba has been knighted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle on Tuesday 2 June, 2026 in recognition of both his acting career and philanthropic work supporting young people.
Elba emerged alongside several other stars who received the honours from the King at the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world.
Known for US crime series, the Wire and police drama Luther, Elba was awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honours for services to young people.
Dame Jayne Torvill and Sir Christopher Dean, both Olympic Champions, also received a knighthood and damehood, for services to ice skating and to voluntary service.
For services to literature, drama and charity, Dame Meera Syal, Comedian and Actress, known for The Kumars At No 42 and Goodness Gracious Me, received her recognition.
Actor, Sir Idris Elba, founded the Elba Hope Foundation in 2022, with the mission to support community empowerment, education, youth advocacy and sustainable development.
He used a grant from the Prince’s Trust – now the King’s Trust – to attend the National Youth Music Theatre aged 18.
In 2025, it was announced, Elba will collaborate with the King to create a documentary which marks fifty (50) years since Charles founded the Charity. The documentary is due to air this autumn on Netflix.
Dame Jayne and Sir Christopher, Ice dancers, carted home the Olympic gold at the 1984 Winter Games for their Bolero performance.
68-year old Dame Jayne said: “We had such a great time, we were so happy with the tour and the fact that we got through it.
“It was a big thing for us to mark our career before retirement, and then receiving this award at the end of the year, it’s just finished everything. It’s perfect.”
Photo: Actor Idris Elba knighted by King Charles III in recognition of his charity works to young people. In the photo, Elba with his wife, Sabrina | Reuters
