Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton received the knighthood from the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle on Wednesday for his stellar career and contributions to motorsport.
It was his first public appearance after incredibly losing the Formula 1 title last Sunday: Lewis Hamilton, 36, received the title of Knight on the Queen of England’s New Years Honors list late last year, with what became Sir Lewis Hamilton. But this Wednesday, Prince Charles formally conferred him the title of knighthood in a traditional ceremony that took place at Windsor Castle.
He is one of four Formula One drivers to receive this honor, as well as other British-born athletes, artists, and other prominent figures.
Hamilton had already received the Order of the British Empire from the Queen after winning his first world title in 2008 and has since claimed six other top-flight motorsport titles, equaling Michael Schumacher’s record of seven championships. The ceremony marked Hamilton’s first public appearance since his last-lap loss to Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi, which left him without what would have been a record-breaking eighth Formula 1 debut.
Hamilton congratulated Verstappen on his championship after the end of the race, but since then he has not been publicly exposed or spoken to the media. The Brit is scheduled to be present at the season-ending FIA awards gala in Paris on Thursday, where he will receive the trophy for being runner-up in the world. Entanto, the Mercedes team is currently studying whether or not to proceed with an appeal against the outcome of the Abu Dhabi race, after the FIA initially dismissed its two protests.
Why Was Lewis Hamilton Knighted?
As he won his seventh Formula One title in 2020, the Queen approved his appointment for his significant contribution to motorsport.
The choice of knight or lady is made by the Queen because the character in question is a person who has inspired the British people by his actions in the discipline in which he participates.
After being knighted or lady, the character will have to be referred to as Sir or Dame.
Hamilton is the third F1 world champion to receive a knighthood after Sir Jack Brabham (1978) and Sir Jackie Stewart (2001), while Stirling Moss, Patrick Head and Frank Williams have also received knighthoods in recognition of your services to motorsports.
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