Overview
- Elba was named in the King’s 2026 New Year Honours for services to young people through anti-knife-crime advocacy and the Elba Hope Foundation.
- He told The Graham Norton Show the consideration letter was buried in a pile of post, leaving him only two days to respond.
- His agent warned the opportunity would lapse without a prompt reply, and he found the letter in time to accept.
- Elba said he has not yet had the ‘sword on the shoulder’ ceremony, and his wife is enjoying the courtesy title.
- He framed the recognition as for the young people he works with and noted his mother’s delight during his BBC One appearance.