More rumours emerge about 007 Knighthood and Olympics opening

Arise Bond, Sir James Bond. Rumours first started circulating that Daniel Craig has filmed a short sequence at Buckingham Palace as part of Danny Boyle's opening ceremony for the London 2012 Olympic Games a few weeks ago, but the story is gathering space with additional detail revealed today.

According to a report in the Evening Standard, 007 will receive a Knighthood from Her Majesty for his 50 years (fictional) service in defence of the realm. Buckingham Palace sources have told the character has secretly received the sword’s tap on his shoulder from the Queen.

Daniel Criag was seen at the Palace with a film crew last month.

“Daniel Craig was here in black tie one morning in early April,” says a source. “Judi Dench [who plays M, the head of MI6] was also here, and the talk of the Palace was that Bond was going to be knighted that morning.”

The paper reports: "It is believed that the Queen bestowed the honour as part of a film for the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The event’s artistic director, Danny Boyle, has been filming at the Palace. There has been speculation that, as part of the film, the Queen gives Bond a mission to open the Games and that he will be parachuted into the Stratford stadium."

“Bond did sterling work for Queen and country and deserves a gong,” says Ian Fleming’s biographer Andrew Lycett. “The first Bond book Casino Royale came out in 1953, Coronation Year, so the Queen has something to celebrate. James Bond receives an obituary in The Times in You Only Live Twice, in which he is described as Commander James Bond CMG. Reports of his death later prove to be an exaggeration and he is brought back to life for later instalments.”

Craig has deflected enquiries about his mission. “According to the papers, I’ve got an invitation, I’ve been, had tea, sat out with the corgis,” he told LBC.

A spokesman for the Palace said it was involved in a number of filming projects for the Jubilee, but would not discuss specific projects.

Discuss this news here...