The original article is in German; below is a translation via Google Translate.
Prince Charles has knighted the General Music Director of the Deutsche Oper, Donald Runnicles, at Windsor Castle.
It’s a great old tradition, whereby in the Middle Ages the accolade could take place right on the battlefield. It incidentally increased the chances of survival in later battles because a wealthy captured warrior promised a ransom. Today the knights are on other fields. In the United Kingdom, the knighthood is a surviving award for special achievements in science, culture or sport, which is awarded exclusively by the reigning British monarch. And if the Queen is prevented, then Prince Charles takes over this solemn initiation rite. The Queen’s eldest son and heir to the throne has Donald Runnicles, General Music Director of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, knighted at Windsor Castle.
The proclamation of the British nobility title “Knight Bachelor” had already taken place a year earlier. As a precaution, the conductor had been called by the British ambassador in Berlin to see if he would accept the award. He didn’t think long, Runnicles said at the time. Besides the letterhead, not much has changed either, Sir Donald joked. But the accolade took a long time due to the pandemic situation and the limited travel options. It took place at Windsor Castle on December 15th…
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