Is Bob Geldof allowed to be "Sir" Bob after all he is a foreign national?

Question

Also Terry Wogan was born and bred in Limerick Ireland. Although I think he was born before some date that entitles him to use it..

Answer 1

Since Geldof isn't a citizen of one of the Commonwealth countries,he can't use "Sir." But this hasn't stopped the media from using the title;it's like a nickname that has stuck.As a foreign national,Geldof's award is honorary,so he isn't entitled to the use of "Sir;"but unfortunately,these days reporters just don't know how to research and check their work,so they erroneously call him "Sir Bob Geldolf" and the mass public,also in ignorance,use the title as well.

http://www.royal.gov/uk/output/Page4877....

"Foreign citizens occasionally receive honorary knighthoods; they are not dubbed, and they do not use the style 'Sir'.

Such knighthoods are conferred by The Queen, on the advice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, on those who have made an important contribution to relations between their country and Britain.

Foreign citizens given knighthoods over the years include Chancellor Kohl, President Mitterrand and Mayor Giuliani of New York."

Terry Wogan is a citizen of the UK.He can use the title of "Sir."

Answer 2

This is only an honorific - but the press often and quite incorrectly refer to him as "Sir".

Remember, gentlemen are born, not ennobled.

Answer 3

they are honorary titles, I dont think they are entitled to be called Sir tho