Who has the power to knight someone in Britain? Is it just the Queen?

Question

Who has the power to knight someone in Britain? Is it just the Queen?

Answer 1

The Queen bestows knighthoods.  If the Queen doesn't perform the ceremony personally, a suitable representative does it (such as a member of the same order, or perhaps an ambassador).  The representative is merely acting on the monarch's behalf, however...the Queen is still bestowing the honor.

Answer 2

She and Prince Charles bestow the knighthoods, but many other people are involved in selecting them. The queen is often represented by her eldest son at investitures where knighthoods and other honours are handed out.

She personally selects the Knights of the Garter (24 in number), Thistle (16 in number) and the Royal Victorian Order (people who have served the royal family directly). The other knights are chosen by members of various committees (committees for the arts, military, civil service, diplomatic corps, etc). She might occasionally object to a name put forward but does not nominate them.

Incidentally, retiring prime ministers are allowed to hand out one last batch of honours, including knighthoods, and we're still waiting for Blair's.

Answer 3

Only the Queen can officially bestow a knighthood on someone (when she is indisposed, another member of the Royal Family may perform  the ceremony on her behalf).  However, she doesn't choose the people who appear on the Honours List.  That is  the task of the Prime Minister.

Answer 4

The Queen or one of the Counsellors of state (normally Prince Charles) can award a knighthood. However, with the exception of Knights and Ladies of the Order of the Garter all honours are chosen by the Government of the day. The Order of the Garter is the personal choice of the Sovereign and it is a slightly higher order than ordinary knighthoods.