U2 frontman Bono, Vogue editor-in-chief Dame Anna Wintour and British conservationist Dame Jane Goodall are among the famous faces who have received America’s highest civilian honour from outgoing President Joe Biden.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom was awarded to 19 people this year across politics, sports, entertainment and other fields.
Back To The Future actor and Parkinson’s campaigner Michael J Fox, Oscar-winner Denzel Washington, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, basketball legend and businessman Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, and fashion designer Ralph Lauren were also among the recipients.
Ms Clinton was accompanied to the event by her husband former president Bill Clinton, daughter Chelsea Clinton and grandchildren.
The politician was given a standing ovation when she received her medal.
Jane Goodall is regarded as the world’s foremost authority on chimpanzees. She was awarded a damehood in 2004, and the 2021 Templeton Prize, worth more than £1m.
The White House said the awards are given for “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavours”.
In his opening remarks, Mr Biden said: “For the final time as president I have the honour bestowing the Medal of Freedom, our nation’s highest civilian honor, on a group of extraordinary, truly extraordinary people, who gave their sacred effort, their sacred effort, to shape the culture and the cause of America.
“Let me just say to each of you, thank you, thank you, thank you for all you’ve done to help this country.”
Alex Soros, the son of Democratic philanthropist George Soros, also received the award on his father’s behalf.
Argentine footballer Lionel Messi was on the list of 19 but did not attend the White House ceremony, reportedly due to a scheduling issue.
Four medals were awarded posthumously.
They were given to Fannie Lou Hamer, who founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and laid the groundwork for the 1965 Voting Rights Act; former attorney general and senator Robert F Kennedy; George W Romney, who served as both a Michigan governor and secretary of housing and urban development; and Ash Carter, a former secretary of defence.
Mr Kennedy is father to Robert F Kennedy Jr, president-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for health and human services secretary.
Mr Biden said of the late senator: “Bobby is one of my true political heroes. I love and I miss him dearly.”
Mr Romney is the father of former Utah Republican senator Mitt Romney, one of Mr Trump’s strongest conservative critics.
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Bono wore a black suit and sunglasses as President Biden placed the medal on him.
The singer, whose real name is Paul David Hewson, has previously been given the highest cultural honour of France, the Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters in 2013, was named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year in 2005, and was awarded an honorary British knighthood in 2007.
The 64-year-old is known for campaigning against poverty and supporting those with HIV/Aids.
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U2 has recently been holding a residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas, a new high-tech immersive venue which boasts 168,000 square feet of high-definition LEDs, 167,000 speakers and 17,000 seats.
The acclaimed Irish rockers have released a host of albums over the years, the most recent being Songs Of Surrender which featured reimagined recordings from their back catalogue.
