Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Duchess of Cornwall and Baroness Amos are to be appointed as members of the Order of the Garter, England’s oldest and most senior chivalry order.
The BBC reported on Saturday that the former prime minister would now be known as ‘Sir Tony’.
Appointments are the personal choice of the Queen, who has 24 “knights and female companions”.
The former Labor cabinet minister, Baroness Amos, became the first black member of the order.
The formal order, established in 1348, is a recognition of significant public service and is created without the advice of the prime minister.
Blair becomes Sir Tony on January 1, as he joins the Order as a “knight mate”.
He said it has been a “great privilege” to serve as prime minister, adding: “I want to thank all those who have served with me in politics, public service and all parts of our society, for their dedication.” And for commitment. Apna Desh.”
Sir Tony led his party to a landslide victory in 1997 and won two subsequent general elections. He served for 10 years before resigning and handing over power to his Chancellor, Gordon Brown.
Under Sir Tony’s leadership, Britain became involved in the US-led invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan – an official investigation into the 2003 Iraq War drew strong criticism from his government and Britain’s military chiefs.
He famously referred to Diana, Princess of Wales as the “Princess of the People” after her death.