The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, was formally knighted by King Charles at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.
The 54-year-old Labour politician received the honour in recognition of his political and public service.
Sir Sadiq, who has served as Mayor of London since 2016, was awarded the knighthood after being named in the New Year Honours list.
The ceremony marked a significant milestone for the mayor, who expressed deep humility about receiving the prestigious award.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, was formally knighted by King Charles at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.
PA
"I am truly humbled to have received a knighthood in the King's New Year Honours," Sir Sadiq said following the announcement of his honour.
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.
His electoral victories in 2016, 2021 and 2024 have established him as one of the capital's most enduring political figures.
The knighthood ceremony proved to be an emotional experience for the mayor. He later admitted that receiving such recognition had never seemed possible during his youth.
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.
PA
Taking to social media after the palace ceremony, Sir Sadiq shared photographs of the momentous occasion on Facebook. He described the experience as "a truly humbling moment for myself and my family."
Sir Sadiq reflected on his remarkable journey from a council estate in Tooting to receiving one of the nation's highest honours. "Growing up on a council estate in Tooting, I never could have imagined that I'd one day receive this great honour while serving as the Mayor of London," he wrote on Facebook.
The mayor expressed hope that his achievement would motivate others to pursue their ambitions in the capital. He described his story as embodying "The London promise: if you work hard, and get a helping hand, you can achieve anything."
Sir Sadiq pledged to continue his commitment to the capital, stating he would "continue to do all I can to build a fairer, safer, greener and more prosperous London for everyone."
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Rugby league legend Billy Boston, 90, also received recognition. The former Wigan player scored 478 tries in 488 matches after switching from rugby union in 1953.
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Tuesday's investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace also honoured several other distinguished recipients.
Author Jacqueline Wilson, 79, was formally made a Dame Grand Cross for her services to literature.
The creator of Tracy Beaker and former children's laureate has written numerous beloved children's novels including Candyfloss and Double Act.
Dame Jacqueline recently returned to adult fiction with Think Again, her first adult novel since the 1970s, which earned a British Book Awards nomination.
Rugby league legend Billy Boston, 90, also received recognition. The former Wigan player scored 478 tries in 488 matches after switching from rugby union in 1953.
Boston made history in 1954 as the first non-white player selected for a Great Britain rugby league Lions tour.
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