Formula One icon Lewis Hamilton has officially received a knighthood by the Prince of Wales.
The 36-year-old racing star was honoured for his services to motorsports at an investiture at Windsor Castle today (December 15).
Lewis Hamilton was given a knighthood in the New Year Honours list in 2020, twelve years after being awarded the MBE in 2008 after winning his first championship.
Since then, he has gone on to claim a further six world championships and 103 race wins. Hamilton currently holds the record for the most world titles in the sport – level with legendary Michael Schumacher.
He is the fourth F1 driver to be knighted and the first to receive the accolade as an active driver.
Lewis Hamilton’s official knighthood ceremony took place just days after he controversially lost out on a record eighth F1 world title to Max Verstappen on Sunday.
“Lewis is one of the very greatest racing drivers of all time and the most successful British sportsperson of his era,” Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said after learning about Hamilton’s knighthood last year.
“Around the world, he has long been recognised for his sporting achievement; this year, he combined his excellence on the track with a powerful voice to fight discrimination.”
He added: “The news that he is to receive a knighthood shows that he is now receiving the recognition he has earned during a career of unparalleled success in motorsport.
“The UK can be very proud to have a champion and ambassador of the calibre of Sir Lewis Hamilton.”
[Image by sbonsi via ShutterStock]