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Idris Elba Says Knighthood Won’t Change Him, Credits Youth Work for Honour

Investiture is set for July under standard honours protocol.

Overview

  • At the Hijack season 2 screening, Elba said the recognition is still sinking in and joked about curtsies before adding, “Same old Idris.”
  • He was named to the 2026 New Year Honours for services to young people, including anti-knife-crime advocacy and work through the Elba Hope Foundation with his wife, Sabrina.
  • In a statement after the list was announced, he dedicated the accolade to the young people whose resilience drives the foundation’s work.
  • The 2026 honours list includes 1,157 recipients, with ethnic minority representation reported at 14%, up from 7% last year, alongside honorees such as Cynthia Erivo, Ellie Goulding, Meera Syal and Richard Osman.
  • Formal investiture is scheduled for July, while Elba’s prior honours and partnerships include an OBE and collaboration with the King’s Trust on the Creative Futures initiative.