He's already earned serious props from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a Nobel Peace Prize nomination for his tireless campaigning on behalf of Africa's poor. So it comes as no surprise Bono has earned himself a place on Her Majesty's royal roster.

The U2 frontman and noted humanitarian activist was bestowed knighthood in Dublin Thursday in a private ceremony attended by family and friends in recognition of his contributions to the music industry and his inspirational efforts to end poverty on the continent of Africa.

British Ambassador David Reddaway declared the Irish rock star, born Paul Hewson, an honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II.

"This honorary award recognizes Bono's extraordinary and inspirational commitment to relieve global poverty and focus international attention on the plight of Africa; the AIDS pandemic, and the third world debt crisis," Reddaway said.  "He has played a key role in persuading governments and international institutions to wipe out much of the burden of international debt owed by third world governments."

The ambassador also paid tribute to the singer's work in the band that could be considered Ireland's greatest export.

"U2 is not only one of the most successful bands of all time, but have been highly effective in raising support for justice-related causes through benefit concerts and recordings," Reddaway added.

Reddaway also read aloud a letter from Prime Minister Tony Blair praising Bono.

"You have permission to call me anything you want—except sir, all right?" Bono quipped to reporters after receiving the honor.  "Lord of lords, your demigodness, that'll do."

Cheering Bono on at the gathering at the ambassador's residence were his bandmates the Edge and Adam Clayton, as well as his wife, Ali, and their four children, 17-year-old Jordan, 15-year-old Eve, seven-year-old Elijah and five-year-old John.

"I would like to thank Her Majesty's Ambassador for pinning this award on me in my hometown, and the band for not bursting my balloon," the crooner said.

Then noting the presence of his kids, he joked that his youngest child, John, "thought I was becoming a Jedi."

As he's Irish, Bono, 48, isn't permitted to take the title of "Sir" (not that he wants to anyway).  The honorary form of address is only granted to citizens of the British commonwealth and United Kingdom, and Ireland officially declared itself a republic in the years following World War II. 

Being inducted into the British knighthood didn't stop the Dublin native from getting in a few cracks about the old English-Irish rivalry.

"What a great year for an Irishman to receive an award from Great Britain," Bono joked.  "The [Northern Irish] peace process has proceeded to a conclusion, debt cancellation—started in Great Britain—has put 20 million African children in school, The Happy Mondays and Shaun Ryder have reformed, England's rugby squad entered [Dublin's] Croke Park to thunderous applause, silence for 'God Save The Queen', then the Irish hammered them.  I couldn't be more proud."

Not ready to look a gift horse in the mouth, the "Pride" rocker then noted the increasingly warm relationship between the two nations.

"I think Great Britain is great," he added.  "And Irish people support British football teams.  And Irish bands sign British labels.  And Irish people speak English.  And we have one [English-born Adam Clayton] in our band."

Along with his newly-minted knighthood, Bono has also been feted with the Legion of Honor from France and the Order of Liberty from Portugal, accolades which he notes have aided him in accessing the corridors of power to lobby for the poor.

"[They've] really help me get through a few doors I wouldn't get through.  And that's the truth, that's the way the world is," he said.

When he's not pressuring world leaders to do the right thing, Bono and the boys have been in the studio working on U2's next album, which the singer told BBC Radio One in January will mark another evolution in their sound and may even feature acoustic songs.