Dennis, Horner and Duke of Richmond named in honours list Dennis is knighted for services to industry and charity while Horner and Duke of Richmond are now Commander of the Order of the British Empire Dennis, Horner and Duke of Richmond named in honours list | Autocar
Some notable pirates, looters and mass murderers have been knighted before and these two are not much worse.
There is a point in the movie "A Knights Tale" where a nobleman (story bad guy) won a Joust by cheating with a piercing point under the fist on his spear, seriously harming his opponent (story hero). The handlers wanted to illustrate the bad guy's misdeeds, but the person playing Shakespeare holds them back and says "Noble Victory, Sir, Noble Victory". Ever since I have used that definition when using the word "noble". Machiavelli used noble in similar context.
How the honours system works The honours system covers the whole of the UK, and all honours are approved by HM King. Anyone can nominate anyone else for an honour. (Usually done by petition) The Honours and Appointments Secretariat in the Cabinet Office coordinates the operation of the honours system. It provides administrative support to the independent honours committees which consider nominations. The Honours and Appointments Secretariat also supports the committee on the grant of honours, decorations and medals (known as the HD Committee). The HD Committee is the policy-making body for the honours system. It gives advice directly to HM King about possible changes to the honours system and military medals policy, including considering new awards. Its members are senior officials in the Civil Service and the Royal Household. Source : UK-gov
