"He's a true Kingsman now" - Netizens celebrate Idris Elba receiving a Knighthood

Idris Elba is set to receive a Knighthood in the UK’s 2026 New Year Honours list, announced on December 29, 2025, prompting widespread discussion across social media and entertainment circles. The actor, producer, and musician makes his place in this year’s list of honorees from the film and television industry, with the recognition highlighting both his long-standing charitable work.

The honour, conferred by King Charles III, allows Elba to use the title Sir Idris Elba. His full name will now be formally recorded as Sir Idrissa Akuna Elba. The Knighthood recognizes his extensive endeavors through the Elba Hope Foundation, which he established together with his wife, Sabrina Elba.

The trust is involved in addressing knife crimes, helping with youth advocacy, education, and community empowerment campaigns being carried out in the UK, the US, and Africa.

Following the announcement, reactions quickly emerged online. A user showed excitement for the announcement, saying:

"he's a true Kingsman now"

Other users added:

Another user added a brief response, writing:

Some reactions focused on Elba’s cultural visibility and recognizability

Others referenced his on-screen persona and action roles.

The earlier reactions also drew a connection to Idris Elba's past performances; many users referred to characters such as Stringer Bell from The Wire or made jesting connections to his knighthood based on action and spy-adjacent film roles.

Beyond Idris Elba, there were honors across sport, the arts, and public service in the 2026 New Year Honours. Jayne Torvill, the ice dancing partner of Sir Chris Dean, has now become a Dame. Her longtime skating partner, Christopher Dean, was made a Sir. Women representatives from England's national football and rugby teams featured on the lists for continued influence through competition.

Appearing on the list were people known for roles in cinema, TV, sound recordings, or radio.

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About Idris Elba

Closing Night Red Carpet - The Red Sea International Film Festival 2025 - Source: Getty

Sir Idrissa Akuna Elba is a British actor, rapper, and producer born on September 6, 1972. He began his television career in the UK before gaining international acclaim for his performances, which have made him a prominent figure in the entertainment sector. Elba has received multiple recognitions from the awarding community, including the Golden Globe Award, as well as Emmy and BAFTA nominations.

Besides live acting, Idris Elba is well known for voice-overs (Zootopia 2) and film franchise roles, such as his roles in the MCU. Apart from the entertainment industry, Elba is involved in music, film production, and youth-targeted charity work, which resulted in his being hailed as a Knight in the 2026 New Year Honours.

Idris Elba is an advocate for campaigns that focus on youth violence, such as “Don’t Stop Your Future,” while also supporting tighter policies on weapons such as machetes and “zombie knives.”

As per BBC, in a statement following the announcement, Elba said he accepted the honour on behalf of the young people who inspire the foundation’s work, adding that he hopes the recognition will draw greater attention to the need for alternatives to violence and increased investment in youth support systems. He said:

"I receive this honour on behalf of the many young people whose talent, ambition and resilience has driven the work of the Elba Hope Foundation"

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Also read: 7 Idris Elba movies and shows to watch if you loved him in Heads of State.

Edited by Toshali Kritika