British design genius behind iPhone knighted at the Palace

The 45-year-old, who is senior vice president of industrial design at Apple, flew to Britain from the US with his wife and eight-year-old twin sons to receive the honour.

“It has been wonderful. It was really thrilling and particularly humbling,” he said after being made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) for services to design and enterprise.

Sir Jonathan, who was born in Chingford, north east London, is credited with the design of some of the best loved gadgets of the modern age, including the iPhone, the iPod, the iMac and the iPad.

He said he and the Princess Royal had talked about how often he comes to the UK and about her iPad.

Also being knighted was Sir Peter Bazalgette, 59, the TV programme maker behind hit series including Big Brother, Ready Steady Cook, Changing Rooms and Ground Force. He said he was particularly pleased to be receiving a knighthood as he is the great-great-grandson of Sir Joseph Bazalgette, the civil engineer who was knighted in the 19th century for his work designing and overseeing the building of an enclosed sewer network for London.

Sir Peter said his knighthood was a “huge honour”.

Asked what the Princess Royal had said to him, he said: “She said to me ‘you have spent a few years in the business’ with a smile. I told her I was very proud to be here, more than a century after my engineer ancestor.”

Philanthropist and property tycoon Gerald Ronson received a CBE for his work over more than 50 years raising and donating money to charities and good causes. The 72-year-old, who bounced back after being jailed for his part in the Guinness Four share scam, said he felt “very privileged and honoured” to receive the CBE.

Mr Ronson brought self-service petrol stations to the UK in 1960s and built Heron Tower, the tallest structure in the City of London.

Edna Carleton, 94, from Lutton, a village near Ivybridge, Devon, was made an MBE for her work as a local fundraiser.

She first came to Britain from the Falkland Islands in 1945 and has worked for 47 years fund-raising for causes including a local hospice and the HCPT charity helping disabled children.

Janet Finch, 65, from Coventry, a foster carer for more than 35 years, who has fostered 150 children, also picked up an MBE for services to children and families.