He won't be called Sir Bill, he said, laughing but looking down at the table with a touch of embarrassed modesty. The richest man in the world hopes not to share the fate of Howard Stringer, chairman and chief executive of the Sony corporation. "He gets a hard time, it's sir, sir, sir all the time," said Bill Gates. Technically that would be wrong anyway. The Queen gave Mr Gates, a US citizen, an honorary knighthood yesterday which conveys no title. It was awarded firstly because of his efforts and generosity in the cause of improving the health of millions in poor countries, and secondly in recognition of Microsoft's "contribution to enterprise, employment, education and the voluntary sector in the UK". "It's a great honour," said Mr Gates, who is expansive in the cause of global health but not on the subject of himself. Asked before the ceremony what he thought of the pomp and circumstance attached to being knighted in a palace, he said: "It will be fun." In an official statement he credited all those working in the poorest of places combating disease, assisted by the funds of the Gates Foundation. "I'm particularly pleased that this honour helps recognise the real heroes that our foundation supports to improve health in poor countries. "Their incredible work is helping ensure that one day all people - no matter where they are born - will have the same opportunity for a healthy life, and I'm grateful to share this honour with them." He also made reference also to a special transatlantic relationship. "This honour is particularly poignant given the deep connections Microsoft enjoys with the UK," he said. The company employs 2,000 people in the UK, the first country to get a Microsoft subsidiary office, set up 23 years ago. Mr Gates also spoke about "the tremendous wealth of talent and creativity of our UK employees and researchers". He added: "The companies and organisations that we have supported and partnered with since, and their employees, have been an important part of the positive impact [that] technology has had on economic growth and on the lives of people in the UK." He would not be cutting his hours at Microsoft any time soon to spend more time on his philanthropic work, he said, at an earlier discussion on global health: "I'm full-time at Microsoft and Microsoft isn't big on part-time jobs." But he and Melinda, his wife, are passionate about the work of their foundation, such as its efforts in getting basic immunisation to children, finding cures for diseases such as leishmaniasis and drugs for malaria, and researching vaccines for tuberculosis and Aids. An Aids vaccine was the foundation's No 1 priority, said Mrs Gates. But, stepping quickly around the potential political minefield, the couple said it was unlikely there would be a vaccine within 10 years, as Gordon Brown had implied recently in his call for more funding. If that occurred, said Mr Gates, he would "eat his hat".
by Sarah Boseley
