14 DAY TRIAL // The idea of Angelina Jolie getting an honorary title from the Queen has been circulating in the media for some time, but it was deemed impossible since she is not a British citizen and such titles are only reserved for UK nationals. Today, it seems that the Crown has found a way.
The Telegraph reports that Queen Elizabeth II made Angelina Jolie an honorary dame today, as a reward for her work fighting domestic violence and for services brought to UK foreign policy. The event took place at Buckingham Palace, during a private audience with the monarch.
Angelina received her honorary title for her implication in campaigns such as preventing rape in war zones
Angelina Jolie was humbled by the title and thanked the Queen as she handed her the DCMG insignia and the title of Honorary Dame Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George.
Because she is only an honorary dame, the actress can't be addressed by her title of dame but will get to keep the insignia. The actress was nonetheless happy to have her efforts recognized and to be part of the effort to stop war-zone rape.
The news that Angelina was going to receive a damehood was first announced back in June and she gushed at the time, “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 PVSI and with survivors of rape is an honour in itself. I know that succeeding in our goals will take a lifetime, and I am dedicated to it for all of mine.”
Angelina has been engaged in humanitarian work for years, dealing in parallel with her career as an actress, and in later years, it even seemed to take a forefront to her Hollywood life. She's become so involved that she was even named as a UN Goodwill Ambassador.
Could this be the start of Angelina's political aspirations?
This honorary title bestowed onto her by the Queen is no doubt something she can be proud of but there have been some voices in the American media claiming that Angelina's actions are motivated by much more than compassion and care, they are motivated by the intention of taking up a political career at some point in the future.
Some have even gone as far as to claim that she was gunning for the Oval Office at the White House. When asked about it in an interview on Good Morning America back in May, Jolie shrugged it off, “You know, if I thought I’d be effective, I would. But I’m not sure if I would ever be taken seriously in that way, and be able to be effective.”