Bond actor Roger Moore receives knighthood

The former James Bond actor Roger Moore, 75, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday for his work as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nation Children's Fund (UNICEF).

'[The Queen] congratulated me on my work with UNICEF, which she said must be very satisfying--and she also mentioned 007 too,' Moore told. He also said the palace ceremony gave him 'the worst attack of stage fright in my life'. 'I was worrying about whether I was going to get up again after kneeling,' the 75-year-old actor joked.

Moore became a television star in the 1960s series The Saint and took over the role of secret agent 007 from Sean Connery in the 1973 film Live and Let Die. His last Bond film was 1985's A View to a Kill.

Sir Roger, who appeared in seven Bond movies between 1973 and 1985, the same number as Connery, has been a UNICEF goodwill ambassador for 12 years. Speaking after his investiture, Sir Roger said, 'It was nerve-wrecking. I was first on which is a bit like opening the show. It was like a costume drama and I was Sir Ivanhoe a part I have played, incidentally.' He said the honour was better than winning an Oscar and revealed that the Queen talked to him about his Bond work. She told him he would long be known as 007 despite his years of charity work--but he replied that he did not mind because 'I was paid money for it'.

Sir Roger, who was made a CBE in 1999, is the second Bond star to be knighted, following Sir Sean Connery's investiture in 2000. The actor began supporting UNICEF in 1991 after a suggestion by fellow ambassador actress Audrey Hepburn.

Earlier this year, the London-born actor collapsed while performing on Broadway in May and had heart surgery to fit a pacemaker in New York.

The current Bond, Pierce Brosnan, collected an honorary Order of the British Empire in July. It was honorary because he is an Irish citizen.

Sting is one step behind Knighthood

Rock star Sting also met the queen Thursday and was made a CBE--Commander of the British Empire, a lesser honour than a knighthood, for his services to the music industry. Announced at the palace as 'Gordon Sumner, known as Sting,' the 51-year-old singer and songwriter took a bow before the queen.

Sting's honour marks his 25 years in the music business. A former teacher, he found fame with the group The Police, alongside Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers, and has won 10 solo Grammy Awards.

Sting said he was 'bemused', 'excited' and 'nervous' at receiving the honour. 'I've never met the Queen before. It's a little bit like a dream,' he said. 'I didn't ever imagine that when I set off from Newcastle with a guitar and a bag of songs that I would end up here at Buckingham Palace...I'd be surprised if she knows my music--I know [Prince] Charles listens to it--but there's always hope.'

Sting has carved out a successful solo career, recently enjoying a chart revival after teaming up with Craig David and lending his vocals to a Sugababes track. He is also an environmental activist, campaigning to save the world's rainforests.

The honours are bestowed by the Queen but largely selected by the government. The recipients were announced in June.

Source: BBC Online, Reuters, and AP