Bill Gates and his wife Melinda are well known for their charitable work
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The king of computer software Bill Gates is to receive an honorary knighthood from the Queen for his
contribution to enterprise in the UK.
Mr Gates, the world's wealthiest man, is also being
honoured for his work on poverty reduction around the world, said the
Foreign Office.
As an American citizen he cannot use the title "Sir" but will be entitled to put the letters KBE after his name.
Microsoft said Mr Gates, 48, was "absolutely delighted".
The entrepreneur will be presented with the Knight
Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire at a
"mutually convenient" date.
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His company has had a profound impact on the British economy
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Honorary awards to foreign nationals are conferred by the Queen on the advice of the foreign secretary.
Jack Straw said he was "delighted" Mr Gates had been honoured.
He added: "He is one of the most important global business leaders of this age.
Aids vaccine
"Microsoft technology has transformed business practices
and his company has had a profound impact on the British economy,
employing 2,000 people and contributing to the development of the IT
sector."
Mr Gates set up Microsoft in 1975 with his childhood friend Paul Allen, and by last year was worth an estimated £28bn.
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HONORARY KNIGHTS
Live Aid organiser Bob Geldof
Film director Steven Spielberg
Afghan President Hamid Karzai
Opera star Placido Domingo
The Reverend Billy Graham
DNA pioneer James Watson
Comedian Spike Milligan
Former New York mayor Rudi Giuliani
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He and his wife Melinda, who have three children, are also known for their charitable work.
They set up the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000 to improve global health and education.
It has since invested millions in research for an Aids vaccine.
The foundation has also established a scholarship scheme to enable the brightest students to go to Cambridge University.
But Microsoft has been convicted of anti-competitive behaviour in the the USA and is being investigated in Europe.
Other Americans who have received the KBE include former
president George Bush Senior, for Mayor of New York Rudolph Giuliani,
and film director Steven Spielberg.
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