Bloomberg knighted

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I) can add a new title to his name — he’s been knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.

British Ambassador to the United States Peter Westmacott announced the honorary knighthood on Twitter on Monday:

.@MikeBloomberg congratulations on becoming an Honorary Knight of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Richly deserved!

— Peter Westmacott (@PeterWestmacott) October 6, 2014

The British Embassy says the distinction was in recognition of Bloomberg’s “prodigious entrepreneurial and philanthropic endeavours, and the many ways in which they have benefited the United Kingdom and the UK-US special relationship.”

As mayor, Bloomberg spearheaded a tourism partnership in 2009 between New York and London to promote travel in both cities.

The Massachusetts-born business magnate, 72, said in a statement he was “deeply honored” to be a Knight of the British Empire (KBE), noting his “personal, business, and philanthropic ties to London and Britain” stretch back 40 years.

“Over those years it has been a great privilege to work with British leaders on a wide variety of issues, and to invest — commercially, culturally, and civically — in the future of Britain, a place I have long considered my second home,” Bloomberg said.

The British Embassy says Bloomberg “may forthwith put ‘KBE’ after his name if he wishes.”