Can any woman become a Dame if the Queen makes them one?

Question

I just wondered if a woman needs to be of British nationality to become a Dame, or any nationality?

Answer 1

One has to be a British subject or citizen. However, honorary titles can be given under exceptional circumstances. I'm not aware of any Honorary Dames but there have been several honorary knights, including Bob Geldof (Irish) Rudy Giuliani and Colin Powell (American)

Answer 2

Any female citizen, from ANY Nation, which belongs, to the Commonwealth, may be created a Dame of the British Empire. Australia is a member of the Commonwealth, - as are, India, Canada, and New Zealand, - and so forth, - so, female citizens, DO, indeed, have the right, to become Dame Commanders of the British Empire, - or "D.B.E."'s - and, have the right, to "STYLE" themselves, as such, - provided, that, - like their British counterparts, - they DO something, that is WORTHY of the honour!

I don't know, whether this is TRUE, or not, - until NOW, I never really THOUGHT about it, to be HONEST, - but, could being CREATED a Dame, be the equivalent, for a FEMALE, - of a MAN being KNIGHTED?

Answer 3

Yes, I think they have to be of British nationality to receive and use the title of Dame. I think women of other nationalities could be made an honorary Dame, in the same way that Bono has an honorary knighthood.

Answer 4

Her Majesty, as the font of all honours, may admit anyone she chooses to any order of Knighthood although she generally admits those who are not of British nationality to only certain orders.

Because some countries, such as the United States, forbid their citizens to accept titles of nobility from a foreign prince, Her Majesty will deem some such titles to be "honorary." Such a distinction is meaningless but it is done nonetheless.

I know of no statute in the United States which makes it a crime to actually use a foreign title and can think of a variety of celebrities (Princess Lee Radziwill, sister of Jackie Kennedy) who have done so.

Answer 5

Yes she can bestow such honours, but those in non British countries are not called Dame or Sir as they are Honoury titles.
Most Commonwealth countries now have their own honours system, much along the same lines.

Answer 6

It depends of which order she is being appointed to. Most will accept a citizen/subject form one of the commonwealth nations; the oldest orders, where they accept women at all, often specify British nationality. A US citizen would likely receive an honorary appointment--reveiving the regalia, being bles to use the post-nominal letters of the order,etc--but being unable to be styled Lady So-and-so or Duchess Bloggs as long as she kept that citizenship.

Hope this helps.

Answer 7

Women from Commonwealth countries also can be called 'Dame'; for instance, Dame Kiri te Kanawa.

Answer 8

yes, there are Australian and new Zealand dames

Answer 9

Any nationality.
Americans find the title hilarious.