To anyone who has ever been blessed enough to spend quality time with Ralph Lauren, he’s always been a king – a king of American fashion and business, of the American lifestyle, of philanthropy, and, of course, the delicious fares served at The Polo Bar.

He has received many recognitions over time, and today, Mr. Lauren was honored in a very special setting –Buckingham Palace.  He was made an Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) for Services to Fashion, and the honorary knighthood insignia was presented to him by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales in a private ceremony.

He became the first American fashion designer to be recognized with an honorary knighthood.

Lauren’s journey the top of the global fashion industry has been well-documented—and along the way, he has received many honors, including the Key to the City of New York, the French Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur, the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal, and several CFDA Awards, including A CFDA Members Salute at last year’s CFDA Fashion Awards.

Lauren has also been a pioneer in philanthropy, especially in cancer care through the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center;  the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care in Harlem, New York, in partnership with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer, and the Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research at The Royal Marsden in London.

All British honors are awarded on merit, and honorary awards are conferred by HM The Queen on the advice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary.

Congratulations, Mr. Lauren!