‘We’ve been expecting you’: Princess Anne bestows Daniel Craig same Royal Honour as James Bond

It seems Daniel Craig is on a mission to bring his James Bond character to life after the British actor was recently awarded the same Royal Honour as 007, the Order of St Michael and St George, by the King’s sister, Princess Anne.

Craig played the seventh iteration of the fictional spy, first appearing in the 2006 film Casino Royale, and was recognised by the late Queen Elizabeth II for his outstanding work in the entertainment sector.

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“We’ve been expecting you,” Buckingham Palace wrote on social media.

“The Princess Royal presents Daniel Craig with The Order of St Michael and St George – the same honour held by his character James Bond – in recognition of his outstanding contribution to film and theatre.”

The Order of St Michael and St George is originally an honour given to those in high positions in the United Kingdom military, stationed in Mediterranean territories, however, has since been extended to those in prevalent non-military service to the UK in a foreign country or service in foreign and Commonwealth affairs.

Craig was congratulated for his honour, with the official Twitter account for the late James Bond author, Ian Flemming, noting the “full-circle moment”.

Huge congratulations from Ian Fleming Publications to Daniel Craig. This is a full-circle moment as James Bond was attributed the same honour in his obituary in Ian Fleming’s “You Only Live Twice.” https://t.co/9JHbQmrntU

— Ian Fleming (@TheIanFleming) October 18, 2022

Much Deserved to Commander Craig. A Fantastic ambassador to the Role of James Bond & to Film. pic.twitter.com/peGdPjk4CY

— Will Ferguson #ReleaseTheAyerCut #SnyderVerse (@William140494) October 18, 2022

Absolutely outstanding. An amazing actor who did the role proud!

— Wheeled Warrior (@WarriorWheeled) October 18, 2022

Wel deserved and so amazing as always by The Princess Royal!

— Kailahh | #3 #4 | (@TheOnlyKailahh) October 18, 2022

The fictional spy’s work for the British empire hasn’t gone unrecognised by the Crown, in 2012 the late Queen blurred the lines between fact and fiction when she appeared alongside Craig as his 007 character for the opening of the Olympic Games. 

The opening ceremony clip saw Bond arrive at Buckingham Palace, pick Her Majesty up and then appear to skydive from a helicopter over the Olympic stadium.

Royal dressmaker and confidante of Her Majesty, Angela Kelly, said it took all but five minutes to get the Queen to agree to act in the video.

Writing in her new book The Other Side of the Coin: the Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe, serialised by Hello! magazine, Kelly said Her Majesty loved the idea – as long as she could speak in the clip, saying “Good evening, Mr Bond”.

“Having listened to Danny’s plan, I asked him and Edward to give me five minutes so that I could ask the Queen,” she reportedly said.

“I remember the look of shock on Danny’s face that I would be asking Her Majesty straight away, but there’s no point in waiting around with these things: if she said no, that would be the end of it.

“I ran upstairs and luckily the Queen was free. She was very amused by the idea and agreed immediately. I asked then if she would like a speaking part. Without hesitation, Her Majesty replied: ‘Of course I must say something. After all, he is coming to rescue me’.”