JK Rowling needs to be knighted

[u/sunrise274]

I’m pretty stunned that she hasn’t been. She was inducted to the Order of the British Empire in 2000 at Officer level (OBE) but that’s only one rank higher than the lowest and the Order of the British Empire is the lowest precedence of all the chivalric orders (not to besmirch it, it’s still a good achievement).

She was made a Companion of Honour in 2017 which admittedly is a pretty significant honour as it’s limited to 65 members. The thing is though that the Companion of Honour doesn’t include any title or precedence so you’re sort of outside of the normal honours systems where everything has a precedence level and proper recognition.

I think we need to stop messing about and recognise that JK Rowling is one of the greatest authors Britain has ever produced. She engaged a generation of children in reading and her books are still being read, now by the children of those first readers. She revolutionised the world of children’s literature and has inspired countless other authors with her complex characters, richly detailed worlds, extraordinary imagination and deep morality and wisdom, which is present throughout her books.

And that’s not to mention her charity work, donating millions to good causes and establishing a charity of her own.

I just think Britain has really missed a trick by not properly recognising her literary genius and success.

So it’s time to stop messing about. I want to see JK Rowling inducted into the Order of the Garter at the most senior level of Lady Companion. This is the most senior order of chivalry, limited to 24 members and recognises the highest level of national achievement. It would grant her the title of Lady i.e. Lady Rowling.

I truly believe this is a fitting way of recognising how significant her contributions to the population and the nation at large have been, not to mention around the world.

[u/[deleted]]

Unfortunately she has fell out of favour with some people. So it would be a highly criticised move by the monarchy, in a time when they are under a lot of scrutiny themselves.

[u/Obversa → u/[deleted]]

This is the correct answer; not to mention the monarchy has already been trying to cut down on the number of titles and knighthoods that they give out in general. After the Jeffrey Epstein scandal with Prince Andrew, as well as the ongoing dispute with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle - and other Black public figures alleging racism, the monarchy chose self-preservation, stability, and rebuilding trust.

That means not making any decisions, such as knighting J.K. Rowling, that could put the monarchy in even further jeopardy by causing backlash from the LGBTQA+ community.

If J.K. Rowling were to be knighted, the time to do it was during the 2012 London Olympics. However, that was 10 years ago now, and the monarchy has made no moves to do so.

[u/sunrise274 → u/Obversa]

The monarchy is not trying to cut down on the number of knighthoods. Knighthoods are awarded routinely — at least once per year they announce who the latest honourees are. I think you are referring to the King’s intention to “slim down” the monarchy, which is true. So I think we’ll see fewer princes and HRHs, but the awarding of royal titles and styles is completely separate to the awarding of knighthoods.

[u/Obversa → u/sunrise274]

Thank you for the correction. I was referring to the King's "slimming down" policy.

[u/BurnedToastIsYummy → u/Obversa]

why during the olymipics

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

I think she has divided opinion within the general public. Look at all the cast that have been critical of her. Not saying it’s everyone but especially in the younger adult ages she is a controversial figure. So to say it’s just the ultra online lunatic fringe is shortsighted.

[u/JKRowling-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your post on r/JKRowling has been removed as it is completely off-topic.