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Call me Mr Sam! Jurassic Park star Neill has been officially knighted for being honored with a New Zealand Order of Merit
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Sam Neill has officially accepted the reappointment as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
The Jurassic Park star, 75, was “honoured” with the title “Sir” on Tuesday when Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro tapped his shoulders with the sword.
He posed for a photo with Dame Cindy, proudly wearing his medal around his neck, and posted it on Instagram.
Sam Neill, 75, (pictured) has officially accepted reappointment as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit
“Hugely honored today by Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro at Govt House Auckland,” he captioned the image.
‘Redesignated KNZM (Knight), Dame Cindy was kind enough to tap me with The Sword. Big day, and I’m very grateful.’
Sir Sam was originally named a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DCNZM) in the 2007 New Year Honours.
The Jurassic Park star was “honoured” with the title of Sir on Tuesday when Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro (right) tapped his shoulders with the sword. He posed for a photo with Dame Cindy, proudly wearing his medal around his neck, and posted it on Instagram
When the knighthoods returned to the country’s royal award system in 2009, those who owned the DCNZM were offered to convert to knighthood, but the actor declined, saying the title of “Sir” was “just way too grand.”
According to the New Zealand Government, the title is ‘for those persons who have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and the country in every field of endeavor or who have distinguished themselves by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits’.
It is unclear why Sir Sam changed his mind and chose to be knighted again.
Sir Sam was originally named a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DCNZM) in the 2007 New Year Honors
However, this is not the only time he has been awarded a prestigious title for his talent in the arts.
The Northern Ireland-born actor was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honors 1991,
Both titles were awarded on the basis of his distinguished acting career, dating back to 1975, and his contribution to mentoring aspiring actors.
When the knighthoods returned to the country’s royal award system in 2009, those who owned the DCNZM were offered to convert to knighthood, but the actor declined, saying the title of “Sir” was “just way too grand.” (Pictured with co-star Laura Dern in Jurassic World: Dominion)