Lewis Hamilton has been knighted shortly after falling short-handed in copping the Formula 1 title this year.

Just a few days after the final race of the season, seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton was knighted. He earned his spot in the New Year Honours list in December of 2020 and received a knighthood from the Prince of Wales on Wednesday, via CNN.

Having been granted an honorary title of knighthood for his success in motorsport and contribution to society last year, Hamilton has now received a prestigious concession that will make him formally known as “Sir Lewis Hamilton.”

Evidently, Hamilton's massive and lengthy success in the sport of Formula 1 significantly contributed to him earning the United Kingdom’s highest honor from Queen Elizabeth II. He now joins Jack Brabham, Stirling Moss and Jackie Stewart as the fourth Formula 1 driver to be knighted.

However, Hamilton is the first Formula 1 driver to ever receive the said honor while still actively competing.

This season, the Mercedes driver failed to extend his Formula 1 championship streak after losing to his ultimate nemesis on the track, Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing.

The pair went toe-to-toe throughout the entire year and en route to the very last lap of the season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Hamilton looked set to claim his eight world championship when Verstappen managed to steal the lead all the way to the finish line.

Reflecting on his devastating defeat, Hamilton admitted that he'll use the time off to figure things out and “see what happens next year.”