Because he is an Irish citizen, [Bono] won't have the title of "sir" before his name. That honour is reserved for citizens of the United Kingdom or British Commonwealth countries. Ireland left the Commonwealth when it became a republic in 1949.

"Please, I wasn't expecting you to kneel," said Bono, his hand on the ambassador's shoulder.

Such official accolades "really help me get through a few doors I wouldn't get through. And that's the truth, that's the way the world is," he said.