Idris Elba></p> <p>British actor <strong>Idris Elba</strong> may not be the next James Bond, but he is the next best thing.</p> <p>Elba, 43, was <a href=knighted an Officer of the British Empire by Prince William in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Elba received the Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire award for his excellence in acting drama.

Elba is pictured above with his elegant mom.

The Epoch Times — British actor Idris Elba went to Buckingham Palace in London, March 11 and returned home with a medallion of an Officer of the British Empire.

His Ghanaian-born mom, Eve, who also came to the royal ceremony was very happy, Elba said on Twitter.

According to USA Today, Elba had a chance to see the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the 2013 premiere of his Nelson Mandela biopic “Long Walk to Freedom.”

The official Twitter account for the royal family tweeted, “.@idriselba looking forward to welcoming you and all of today’s recipients to Buckingham Palace #Investiture.”

Thanks to loyal reader Django for the tip.