Irish rocker and rights campaigner Bono will become an honorary knight of the British Empire, the British Embassy in Dublin said Saturday.

"Her Majesty the Queen has appointed Bono to be an honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in recognition of his services to the music industry and for his humanitarian work," the embassy said in a statement.

Bono will receive his honourary knighthood shortly after New Year's Day.
(Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press)

Bono, 46, will receive the honour from the British ambassador to Ireland, David Reddaway, in a Dublin ceremony shortly after New Year's Day.

A statement on U2's website said the band's frontman is "very flattered to be honoured, particularly if the honour … opens doors for his longstanding campaigning work against extreme poverty in Africa."

In a letter to Bono released Saturday, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the singer's lobbying had forced wealthy nations to focus on increasing aid to Africa.

"I know from talking to you how much these causes matter to you," Blair wrote. "I know as well how knowledgable you are about the problems we face and how determined you are to do all you can to help overcome them. You have tirelessly used your voice to speak up for Africa."

Diplomatically sensitive

Since Bono, whose real name is Paul Hewson, hails from Dublin, he won't be entitled to use the title Sir, reserved for citizens of Britain or the Commonwealth of former British colonies.

The British Embassy in Dublin said the Irish government approved granting Bono the honour. The issue is diplomatically sensitive because Irish officials are legally barred from receiving British royal honours, and other Irish nationals have refused nominations on political grounds. Ireland withdrew from the Commonwealth in 1949.

Bono's fellow Dubliner and rocker-turned-humanitarian Bob Geldof, who organized 1985's Live Aid and 2005's Live 8 concerts to address poverty in Africa, received an honorary British knighthood in 1986.

Other non-British nationals given knighthoods include Spanish opera singer Placido Domingo, former New York Mayor Rudolf Giuliani and American software magnate Bill Gates.

Last year, Gates, his wife Melinda and Bono shared Time magazine's Person of the Year for their humanitarian work.

With files from the Associated Press