Ralph Lauren presented with an honorary UK knighthood

Ralph Lauren presented with an honorary UK knighthood

June 21, 2019: Over his career spanning more than five decades, Ralph Lauren has been recognized with the Key to the City of New York from Mayor Michael Bloomberg, for his outstanding civic contributions, and the French Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur, in recognition of his contributions as a designer, business leader, and philanthropist. And now, he has been made an Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) for Services to Fashion. Mr. Lauren was presented with the honorary knighthood insignia by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales in a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Mr. Lauren is the first American fashion designer to be recognized with an honorary knighthood.

Mr. Lauren's philanthropic commitment focuses on those suffering disproportionately from cancer because they lack access to quality health care. Ralph Lauren Corporation established the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Ralph Lauren Corporation, in partnership with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, established the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care in Harlem, New York.

Other notable American recipients of an honorary UK knighthood or damehood include former Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush; former New York City Mayors Michael Bloomberg and Rudolph Giuliani; Angelina Jolie; Steven Spielberg; Bill and Melinda Gates; and Angela Ahrendts.