Bono to be Honoured by Queen for AIDS, Poverty Work

The British Embassy in Dublin has announced that U2 frontman Bono is being awarded an honorary knighthood by the Queen.

The singer, whose real name is Paul Hewson, has been given the honour for "his services to the music industry and for his humanitarian work," it said.

Prime Minister Tony Blair congratulated him, telling the singer in a letter: "You have tirelessly used your voice to speak up for Africa."

Bono will receive the honour in Dublin early in the new year, and British ambassador David Reddaway will conduct the ceremony.

The embassy said the agreement of the Irish government was sought and granted for the Dublin-born singer to be honoured.

A statement on the band's website said the singer, who has lobbied Western leaders to increase aid to developing countries and cancel Third World debt, was "very flattered" to receive the award.

It added that he hoped it opened doors for his campaigning work against extreme poverty in Africa.

Recently having urged the US Congress to fight AIDS and poverty, Bono already went to the White House in February this year to ask President George W. Bush for more US aid to end world poverty.

The rock superstar and anti-poverty campaigner recently met with Australian Treasurer Peter Costello to lobby Canberra to increase its foreign aid to poverty stricken countries.

The meeting was orchestrated by the Rev Tim Costello, head of World Vision Australia and renowned Christian speaker.

Bono also recently launched the RED campaign together with philanthropist Bobby Shriver to bring big businesses and customers into the fight against HIV and Aids. Corporate giants Amex, Apple, Armani, Gap, Converse and Motorola have all signed up and brought out special RED products.

A percentage of the sale of these products goes straight to the Global Fund which was set up in 2002 with the specific purpose of fighting HIV and AIDS. The campaign has already raised more than £5m.