Christopher and Emma Nolan were honored by King Charles at the Investitures at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.
The Inception director, 54, was formally knighted on the same day his wife, producer Emma Thomas, 53, was given a damehood for her contribution to cinema.
Their partnership has produced major box office hits, including The Dark Knight trilogy and their most recent project, the epic biopic Oppenheimer, which swept the 2024 awards ceremonies.
Speaking about receiving the honour, Christopher said of King Charles: “He said he had seen Oppenheimer and enjoyed it.
“It was very nice that he knew our work and was aware of it, and yes, he hoped that I would take this as an encouragement to do more.”
Oppenheimer marked the first time the pair have won the Oscar for best picture and the BAFTA for best picture, having previously been nominated for the 2010 sci-fi Inception and the 2017 war thriller Dunkirk.
Christopher and Emma Nolan were honored by King Charles at the Investitures at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.
The Inception director, 54, was formally awarded a knighthood.
On the same day, Christopher’s wife, film producer Emma Thomas, 53 (pictured), was given the title of dame.
The couple met while studying at University College London (UCL), and Christopher introduced Emma to the university’s film society, where he was president and produced short films.
Since marrying in 1997, the couple co-founded and ran a production company, Syncopy, which has been behind many of their box office hits.
When asked what his advice was to budding filmmakers, Christopher responded, “Find a good partner.”
‘We met on the first day of university at UCL and have been making films ever since.
The only other useful tip I can really think of is to stick with it. If you have something unique to say, keep at it and try to find an outlet for it.”
When Christopher received the British Film Institute (BFI) scholarship for being “one of the world’s most innovative and influential film directors,” he gave credit to his wife.
He said he never felt alone making films because Emma “always saw things the same way I did in terms of the importance of the medium.”
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, 51, was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2024 New Year Honors list for his services to motorsport.
Oppenheimer was the first time the couple won the Oscar for best picture and the BAFTA for best picture.
Their partnership has produced major box office hits, including The Dark Knight trilogy and their most recent project, the epic biopic Oppenheimer, which swept the 2024 awards ceremonies.
Christopher is credited as “one of the world’s most innovative and influential film directors.”
Emma smiled as King Charles bestowed the honor on her.
Since marrying in 1997, the couple co-founded and ran a production company, Syncopy, which has been behind many of their box office hits.
Christian has managed the Red Bull F1 team since 2005, won six constructors’ championships between 2010 and 2023, and is married to Spice Girls singer Geri Halliwell-Horner.
His career began as a racing driver, winning a race in the 1992 British Formula Renault Championship before moving into team management after retiring from competitive driving at the age of 25.
Broadcaster Alan Yentob, 77, will also be formally appointed CBE for his services to the arts and media.
The retired television executive, who was born in Stepney, London, in 1947, joined the BBC as a trainee in 1968.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, 51, was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) (pictured with wife Geri)
He devised the iconic arts program Imagine…, on which he presented, and was the station’s creative director from 2004 to 2015.
Yentob resigned from his position following the collapse of the Kids Company charity, of which he was president.
Roxy Music lead guitarist Phil Manzanera, 73, will be formally appointed OBE by the Princess Royal for his services to music.