There is nothing like a dame… and Angelina Jolie is nothing like a typical dame.
For a start, she’s not British, or a Commonwealth subject. And at 39, she’s also a lot younger than most women granted the honour.
But the Hollywood star has been made an honorary dame by the Queen, thanks to her campaign to end sexual violence in war zones.
And while she’s been praised by some public figures as “an inspiration”, the award has raised eyebrows in other circles – with commentators suggesting she only got the gong because British Foreign Secretary William Hague is “starstruck” by her.
Angelina, seen here with partner Brad, received the honorary damehood as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
It is thought that William nominated the Maleficent star for the honorary damehood (DCMG), which she received as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours. The unlikely pair co-founded the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative in 2012, and last week co-chaired a global summit in London, End Sexual Violence in Conflict.
They’ve made several visits together to war-torn countries, and some media reports described William – as well as British Prime Minister David Cameron – as looking like “awestruck schoolboys” as they welcomed her to the summit.
Conservative politician William says the actress is “a pleasure to work with”.
“My admiration for her work has grown even greater over the last two years. She has the power to speak to the whole world, to raise awareness, change attitudes.”
He adds that Angelina, who’s also special envoy to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, brings “vast expertise” to her humanitarian work, and that she deserves the award because she has made “a real difference, and achieved lasting results”.
US Secretary of State John Kerry has also praised the star, saying, “We’ve all watched her play many remarkable roles, but perhaps her most lasting legacy comes from a role she plays in real life, and that is the role of fierce and fearless advocate.”
But British Labour MP Paul Flynn believes giving the award to a celebrity with “friends in high places”, rather than an unsung British hero, undermines the credibility of the system.
“Angelina Jolie is doing creditable work but it is ridiculous to honour people who are already over-endowed with privileges and wealth.”
Other critics have pointed out that recipients of damehoods usually receive lesser titles, such as MBEs, first and tend to have been engaged in the activity that wins them recognition for many years.
Angelina became interested in humanitarian work after witnessing extreme poverty in Cambodia.
Angelina has said she became interested in humanitarian work after witnessing extreme poverty in Cambodia in 2001, filming Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.
She says being made a dame is a huge compliment. “To receive an honour related to foreign policy means a great deal to me, as it is what I wish to dedicate my working life to.
“Working on the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative with survivors of rape is an honour in itself. I know succeeding in our goals will take a lifetime, and I am dedicated to it for all of mine.”
Because she’s American, the title Dame Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is honorary only, so she can’t be called Dame Angelina. She is entitled to use the letters DCMG after her name.
The damehood is awarded to people who “render extraordinary or important non-military service in a foreign country”. Other Americans have been given such titles by the Queen, including former president Ronald Reagan and film director Steven Spielberg, who are honorary knights.
Angelina is one of a handful of honorary dames, including Nelson Mandela’s widow Graça Machel. Other women made dames this year include designer Zandra Rhodes and author Hilary Mantel.
