Which French national honour did J.K. Rowling receive in 2009?

J.K. Rowling received France’s Legion of Honour in 2009.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy presented Rowling with the distinction in Paris in February 2009. The Legion of Honour is France’s highest order of merit and recognizes people for outstanding service to France. Rowling was made a chevalier, or knight, of the order.

The award reflected both her international literary influence and her relationship with France. Rowling studied French at university and spent part of her degree in Paris. French editions of the Harry Potter books also helped make the series widely known among French-speaking readers.

This honour is distinct from the Order of the British Empire awards and other British recognitions Rowling received. It is also different from France’s Order of Arts and Letters, another cultural distinction that is frequently mentioned alongside the Legion of Honour but is not the award she received in 2009.