Britain’s Queen Elizabeth can honour people who’ve achieved something extraordinary with a knighthood. For men this means gaining the title “Sir”, while women become a “Dame”. Meet 14 celebrities who received the honour over the years … 1. Judi Dench became a dame in 1988 In 1970, Dench was awarded Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE), an award given to civilians whose work affected the nation. Almost two decades later, Dench was named a dame and in 2005 was given an Order of the Companion of Honour, which is given to civilians who’ve contributed to arts, science or medicine. 2. Long before she was Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter films, Maggie Smith became a dame in 1989 Queen Elizabeth gave Smith the title at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. “It doesn’t change anything at all, except people end up calling me Dame Maggie, and I don’t suppose that’ll happen much,” the actress told The New York Times in 1990. In 2014, the queen made Smith one of the Companions of Honour. Meet William and Harry’s hot cousins, Amelia and Eliza Spencer 3. Paul McCartney was knighted in 1997 Decades after Beatlemania, Queen Elizabeth knighted McCartney at a ceremony at the palace. But after the ceremony, he said he would not call himself “Sir Paul”. “Proud to be British, wonderful day and it’s a long way from a little terrace in Liverpool,” McCartney told reporters at the time, according to Reuters. 4. Elton John earned his knighthood in 1998 A long-time friend of Princess Diana , musician Elton John was knighted for his decades-spanning work in music and philanthropy. “I am extremely proud,” John told AP in 1998. “I love my country and to be recognised in such a way … I can’t think of anything better.” 5 and 6. Julie Andrews was named a dame at the same time as fellow actress Elizabeth Taylor At the ceremony, Taylor earned the title for her work in acting and Aids research. The actress said the honour was a highlight of her life. Andrews was born in England but spent most of her life in the US. That didn’t stop the British royal family from awarding her with the title of dame for her “services to acting and entertainment”. Meet Harry and William’s hunky cousin, Louis Spencer “This is the greatest honour of my life. I didn’t think I was eligible as I’ve lived in America for such a long time, but I’ve always felt I’ve taken my Britishness with me,” Andrews told BBC News at the time. 7. Michael Caine received his knighthood under his real name in 2000 Although Hollywood knows him as Michael Caine, he was knighted by the queen under his real name, Maurice Micklewhite. “I was named after my father and I was knighted in his name because I love my father,” Caine told the BBC in 2000. “I always kept my real name … I’m a very private and family-orientated person. When I go home, I leave Michael Caine, the film star, with the costumes, the wigs and the props in the studio.” 8. Helen Mirren became a dame in 2003, just three years before she played the queen in an Oscar-winning role When Mirren was offered the title, she initially had reservations about accepting because she didn’t want “to be part of the establishment. That’s not my role as an artist,” she told Metro in 2003. “Becoming a dame was a whole different thing,” Mirren said. “It was to do with my family, with my mum and dad, and the world I grew up in. And they were both dead by the time … but I accepted it for my parents.’’ Three years later, Mirren played Queen Elizabeth in The Queen and won an Oscar. 9. Also in 2003, the queen refused to give Mick Jagger his knighthood, so Prince Charles gave it to him instead Reportedly, Queen Elizabeth didn’t want to knight Mick Jagger because of his anti-establishment views, so she had Prince Charles do the honours at Buckingham Palace. “It was all rather wonderfully formal,” Jagger said after the ceremony, according to Rolling Stone . Meghan Markle’s 10 biggest haters, from Donald Trump to Wendy Williams 10. Bill Gates became an honorary knight in 2005 thanks to his charity work After founding Microsoft then going on to become a philanthropist, Gates was named an honorary knight, which means he is not allowed to use the title “Sir” because he is not a citizen of the British Commonwealth. “This honour is particularly poignant given the deep connections Microsoft enjoys with the United Kingdom,” Gates said after the ceremony, according to NBC News. “The UK was the first country in which Microsoft set up a subsidiary outside the US, and our experience in the UK has been significant in shaping our international growth.” 11. Angelina Jolie received honorary damehood, also in 2005 Despite being a famous movie star, Jolie became an honorary dame because of her humanitarian work and her fight to end sexual violence. “To receive an honour related to foreign policy means a great deal to me, as it is what I wish to dedicate my working life to,” Jolie told the BBC at the time. “Working on the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative and with survivors of rape is an honour in itself. I know that succeeding in our goals will take a lifetime, and I am dedicated to it for all of mine.” 12. In 2017, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour was named a dame When Queen Elizabeth presented Wintour with the brooch, the monarch struggled to pin it to the editor’s outfit. Wintour also notably took off her signature glasses to accept the honour. 10 royals with the highest Instagram earning potential, revealed “Obviously this is a city that I grew up in, a city that I have so much affection and love for,” Wintour told The Guardian at the time. “It’s always wonderful to get an award, but this one is extra special.” 13. Emma Thompson wore trainers to her ceremony in 2018 Prince William gave the honour to Thompson at Buckingham Palace. “Yes. Dame Commander of the British Empire. I’ve become much more commanding since it happened,” the actress said on Late Night with Seth Meyers in 2018. “I’ve also had every seat I sit on just made slightly taller. It’s subtle, so people are lifting their heads slightly more toward me than they did before, but they’re not quite sure why.” 14. British racing driver Lewis Hamilton was just knighted by Prince Charles The seven-time Formula One world champion was knighted for his services to motorsports at a Windsor Castle investiture ceremony on December 15. He’s the fourth F1 driver to be knighted after Sir Jack Brabham, Sir Stirling Moss and Sir Jackie Stewart, but he’s the first to be honoured while still racing, Sky Sports reported. This article originally appeared on Insider Want more stories like this? Follow STYLE on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube and Twitter .