The king of computer software Bill Gates has received an honorary knighthood from the Queen.
Mr Gates, 48, the world"s wealthiest man, said it was "a great honour" to be recognised for his business skills and for his work on poverty reduction. The Queen had spoken to him about using computers, he said after a private audience with her. As an American citizen he cannot use the title "Sir" but will be entitled to put the letters KBE after his name.
"Travel talk"
The entrepreneur was handed an insignia to make him a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He was joined at Buckingham Palace by wife Melinda. "It"s not as natural [using computers] for the Queen as it is for young people," he said. "She was very nice. "We talked about using computers, and the foundation, and about her travels and ours." The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is currently working on a global health programme in the developing world. Mrs Gates said: "We talked a lot about the developing world - it was very engaging."