Angelina Jolie Made Honorary Dame of the UK

Actress Angelina Jolie’s work in battling sexual violence in war zones has been recognized with quite an honor, bestowed upon her by Great Britain’s Queen Elizabeth. The Oscar-winning actress has been named an honorary dame — the female version of a knight.

Jolie, who has long been a United Nations special envoy, received the honor on Friday. The 39-year-old mother of 6 was thrilled and said “to receive an honor related to foreign policy means a great deal to me, as it is what I wish to dedicate my working life to.” The “Girl, Interrupted” star has indicated that she plans to focus more on humanitarian work than films in her future.

Jolie is in good company even if she can’t use the title “dame” before her name (not being a British subject). Steven Spielberg, Bill Gates and the late President Reagan are among the American who have been made honorary knights.

In the queen’s annual Birthday Honors List for services to their community or national life, most of the honors go to regular people who have made noteworthy contributions. Other famous folks who are now knights and dame: actor, Daniel Day-Lewis; novelist, Hilary Mantel; and ashion designer Zandra Rhodes.