Knighthood for Bill Gates

1.45pm

Software billionaire Bill Gates is to receive an honorary knighthood recognising his contribution to enterprise in Britain.

The Foreign Office says the honour will be bestowed at a mutually convenient date yet to be announced.

Gates, an American, will not be able to use the title "Sir" but will be allowed to put the letters KBE (Knight Commander of the British Empire) after his name.

"The honorary KBE is in recognition of his outstanding contribution to enterprise, employment, education and the voluntary sector in the United Kingdom," the Foreign Office said.

"He has also made significant contributions to poverty reduction in parts of the Commonwealth and elsewhere in the developing world."

Gates donated $314 million to Cambridge University in 2000 to assist graduate students from outside Britain.