- - Idris Elba Reveals 'Embarrassing' Reason He Almost Missed Knighthood Offer from King Charles

Janine HenniJanuary 17, 2026 at 2:03 AM

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(Left) Idris Elba on an episode of "The Graham Norton Show" airing on BBC One; (Right) King Charles at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery London on Dec. 18, 2025 -

Idris Elba is sharing the "embarrassing" story of how he almost missed a letter about whether he would accept a knighthood

The actor and activist told the anecdote during an upcoming appearance on The Graham Norton Show

King Charles' 2026 New Year’s Honours announced that Elba, 53, received a Knighthood for services to young people

Idris Elba almost missed the offer of a lifetime from King Charles for a relatable reason.

The Hijack star, 53, revealed that he nearly missed the King's letter about whether he would accept a knighthood on a new episode of The Graham Norton Show, which airs on Jan. 16 on BBC One at 10:40 p.m., local time.

In December 2025, it was announced in King Charles' 2026 New Year’s Honours list that Elba received a Knighthood for services to young people. Elba was recognized as an activist, actor and musician and the honor comes with a new title — Sir Idris!

During his upcoming appearance on Graham Norton, Elba said he almost missed the offer due to a mix-up with the mail.

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Sir Idris Elba, Erin Doherty, Wunmi Mosaku, Martin Freeman and Olivia Dean with host Graham Norton during filming for "The Graham Norton Show" on Jan. 15, 2026.

"It's a bit embarrassing. I was sent a consideration letter asking whether I would or wouldn't accept it, but I didn't see it as it got lost in a pile of post," the Luther alum said, the Daily Mail reported. "My agent told me that if I didn't accept it would pass me by. By the time I found the letter I had only two days to decide."

Elba said yes and his recognition was announced in the latest New Year Honours List. The compilation celebrates the achievements and service of extraordinary individuals across the U.K. and other recipients in the list of 1,157 include Cynthia Erivo and Ellie Goulding.

Elaborating on the honor, Elba said, "I got it for services to young people and I was thinking, 'Hang on a minute, that's great, but I've been acting for 30 years!' It is actually a great honor, and my mum is so pleased."

The star received his knighthood after launching high-profile campaigns for youth empowerment and anti-knife crime, in addition to his work with the Elba Hope Foundation. He and his wife, Sabrina Elba, co-founded the charity in 2022 to support diaspora communities and create greater opportunities.

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Sir Idris Elba during filming for "The Graham Norton Show" on Jan. 15, 2026.

Elba added that while he has not "had the sword on the shoulder" yet — a classic hallmark of investiture ceremonies at which medals for honors, including knighthoods, are presented — Sabrina was "loving it."

Elba has met King Charles, 77, many times and has credited his start in the arts to a grant he received from the King's charity The Prince's Trust when he was 18. The grant enabled Elba to attend the U.K.'s prestigious National Youth Music Theatre and the rest is history.

The Prince's Trust was renamed The King's Trust following Charles' accession to the throne in 2022 and the charity works to empower vulnerable youth to build skills to prosper. The organization has helped over one million young people since the future King Charles established it in 1976 and today, Elba is a Goodwill Ambassador for it.

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Idris Elba and King Charles at an event for The King's Trust in London on July 12, 2024.

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Recently speaking to PEOPLE on the red carpet for the Hijack season 2 screening, Elba said his knighthood was still sinking in.

"I haven't really spoken about it, but I will say that it's a real honor to be recognized for the work," he exclusively told PEOPLE. "Especially trying to make as much noise for young people and the things that some of them are going through. So it feels like an honor. My family is honored by it. I don't even know how to talk about it."

"I know people are saying, 'Should I call you sir now? Should I curtsy?' " he added about the protocol around his royal recognition. "Same old Idris. Simple."

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”