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Switzerland is one of the oldest republics out there. Why do they call him 'Sir'? I know the BBC constantly does it but I guess they have to.

• nix23 5y ago
  >Why do they call him 'Sir'? Because that's what you do when someone is a Knight? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Berners-Lee#Awards_and_honours https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Berners-Lee#Awards_and_hon...
  • mmdoda 5y ago
    You misunderstood the question. He is asking why are they honoring his title as Knight in Switzerland, when noble titles are usually abolished in republics. A good example of this can be seen in the Constitution of the US. "No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State."
    • nix23 5y ago
      >No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States It was the Queen who granted him the title, not Switzerland.
    • valarauko 5y ago
      This is a private company's communication, not official Swiss usage. Nor is he being afforded privileges or rights arising from his title, beyond the use of 'Sir'. The 'proper' usage also would have added his titles after his name - OM KBE (Order of Merit & Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire)
• goto11 5y ago
  For the same reason people in the US call the Queen Queen even though she is not actually queen of the US?