James Bond Knighted By The Queen? Daniel Craig Gets Royal Tap For London Olympics

The London Evening Standard, citing Buckingham Palace sources, reported that Ian Fleming's iconic character was knighted by the actual Queen of England. Actor Daniel Craig, in character as Bond, is believed to be participating in a video segment that will be part of the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremonies, according to the Evening Standard.

The Games of the XXX Olympiad will take place in London from July 27 through Aug. 12. 

Daniel Craig was here in black tie one morning in early April, a source said, the Evening Standard reported. Judi Dench was also here, and the talk of the Palace was that Bond was going to be knighted that morning. The story has widely circulated throughout England and the U.S., and all of the duplicate stories appear to be citing the Evening Standard report as their primary source.

Craig has played the sauve British spy (and ladies' man) in three Bond films -- Casino Royale, Quantam of Solace, and Skyfall. Skyfall hits U.S. theaters in November. Dench is known for her role as M, Bond's boss. She's played the part since the 1995 Bond film GoldenEye, back when actor Pierce Brosnan was still in the leading role.

Fleming biographer Andrew Lycett is thrilled that Bond might finally be getting formal recognition from Her Majesty -- as far-fetched as that might sound.

Bond did sterling work for Queen and country and deserves a gong, Lycett said, the Evening Standard reported. The first Bond book Casino Royale came out in 1953, Coronation Year, so the Queen has something to celebrate.

Lycett brought up a good point: The Summer Olympics will take place just after the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, which are scheduled to run from June 2 through June 5. The Queen was coronated on June 2, 1953, so Bond's knighthood would be coming just in time.

Buckingham Palace is not confirming or denying the reports.

Buckingham Palace is involved in a number of filming projects during this special Jubilee year and we would not go into details of a specific project until a nearer the time of transmission, a Queen spokesman told the Telegraph.

An Olympic spokesman also declined to comment.

We don't comment on speculation -- and there are all sorts of things flying around, the spokesman told the Telegraph.

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