London: Hollywood actress and UN special envoy Angelina Jolie has been given one of the highest accolades granted by the British establishment as she is made an honorary dame in the Queen's birthday honours.
The 39-year-old Oscar winner, who has spent much of this week co-chairing a London summit on war rape with foreign secretary William Hague, has become a dame commander of the order of St Michael and St George courtesy of the foreign office in recognition of her work on conflict sexual crime, reported The Guardian.
Jolie, in London with partner Brad Pitt, is co-founder with Hague of the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI) and was nominated in the diplomatic service and overseas birthday 2014 honours for services to UK foreign policy and the campaign to end war zone sexual violence.
"To receive an honour related to foreign policy means a great deal to me as it is what I wish to dedicate my working life to. Working on PSVI and with survivors of rape is an honour in itself. I know that succeeding in our goals will take a lifetime and I am dedicated to it for all of mine," Jolie said.
Jolie, who won an Oscar in 2000 for 'Girl, Interrupted', has hinted at giving up her film career to take on humanitarian work full-time. The American-born actress has a global lifestyle with Pitt and their family, but because she doesn't hold British citizenship she is not eligible for the full title of dame. hence the honorary in front of her new accolade.
