King Charles has knighted Sir Sadiq Khan at Buckingham Palace, with the monarch offering an apology for the delayed recognition.
The Mayor of London received his knighthood for political and public service during a ceremony at the Palace.
"He was very chuffed that he managed to personally give me this honour, and he actually apologised for it taking so long, which is not a problem at all," the Mayor revealed following the investiture.
The 54-year-old politician made history as the first London Mayor to secure three consecutive terms in office. The ceremony also saw honours bestowed upon other notable figures.
King Charles 'apologised for taking so long' to knight Sir Sadiq Khan.
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During the ceremony, Khan and the King engaged in light-hearted conversation about their work habits. "I have got the pleasure of working closely with the King. We were just comparing who's a bigger workaholic," the Mayor said.
The occasion held particular significance for Khan's family, especially his mother, who attended the ceremony. "My mum's here, and she's been emotional since it was announced on January 1, and today's just a great day for the family," he said.
As a second-generation immigrant, Khan emphasised the personal importance of the honour. "Obviously, from my background, being the son of immigrants, my parents coming here from Pakistan, it's a big deal for us."
Reflecting on his tenure as Mayor, Khan highlighted several key accomplishments. When asked about his proudest achievements, he cited "free school meals for primary school children, cleaning the air and investing in affordable housing."
Sir Sadiq made history in May 2024 when he secured a third consecutive term as Mayor of London, becoming the first person to achieve this feat. PAThe Mayor expressed particular pride in his collaborative work with the capital's residents. "What I'm really proud of is the chance to work with Londoners, like His Majesty," he said.
These initiatives have formed cornerstone policies during his unprecedented three terms leading London.
The free school meals programme has benefited thousands of primary school children across the capital, whilst his environmental and housing policies have addressed longstanding urban challenges.
The ceremony also recognised Sir Loyd Grossman, the 74-year-old broadcaster and author, who received a knighthood for services to heritage. The Massachusetts-born figure, famous for his cooking sauces, was honoured for leading The Royal Parks' transformation from a government agency to an independent charity.
Sir Sadiq Khan admitted he was very proud to receive his knighthood.
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"I've always felt that our heritage is so important to us, because not only is it beautiful, it's also inspiring," Sir Loyd said. He praised London as "the greatest city in the world" and highlighted how visitors consistently cite the parks as a defining feature.
Dame Emily Thornberry, Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury since 2005, was formally made a dame for political and public service.
The Foreign Affairs Select Committee chairwoman, 64, admitted she was "fizzy with nerves" during the ceremony.
She wore family heirlooms to mark the occasion. "My grandmother used to work for Lloyds Bank, and she wasn't allowed to work after she got married. If she knew that I'd become a dame, she wouldn't believe it," Dame Emily said.
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