King Charles knighted actor Idris Elba, whose mother is Ghanaian, at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, June 2, honouring his services to young people through his charity work.
Elba, 53, knelt as the 77-year-old King tapped a sword on his shoulders. The actor attended with his wife, Sabrina, and the Royal Family shared photographs of the moment on social media.
Born in London, Elba is the son of a Ghanaian mother, Eve, and a Sierra Leonean father, Winston, and he has often spoken with pride about his West African roots.
He and Sabrina co-founded the Elba Hope Foundation in 2022, which supports youth advocacy, education, community empowerment and sustainable development. The knighthood recognised that work with and for young people.
The honour was first announced in the King’s 2026 New Year Honours list and confirmed at the investiture. King Charles, Princess Anne and Prince William lead the ceremonies, which follow honours lists published twice a year, and Elba was among 68 people recognised that day.
His ties to the monarchy run deep. At 18 he received a £1,500 grant from the Prince’s Trust, now the King’s Trust, to attend the National Youth Music Theatre, which he credits with launching his career, and he now serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for the charity. “We are thankful. The work continues,” he wrote afterward.
