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Arthur C Clarke postpones knighthood ceremony

Tuesday, February 3, 1998 Published at 06:16 GMT
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image: [ Arthur C Clarke at home in Colombo ]
Arthur C Clarke postpones knighthood ceremony
Science Fiction writer Arthur C Clarke will not be receiving his knighthood from the Prince of Wales in Sri Lanka this week, following newspaper allegations about his private life.

The British-born 80-year-old author of "2001: A Space Odyssey", who has lived in Sri Lanka since 1956, was awarded his knighthood in the New Year's honours list.


[ image: width=150]

Prince Charles was due to make the investiture at Mr Clarke's home in Colombo on Wednesday. However St James's Palace has agreed to postpone the ceremony at the author's request.

"I am outraged by the Sunday Mirror's allegations and I am seeking legal advice," he said in a brief statement read by his secretary, Roshan Amarasekhara.

"Mr Clarke is very upset by the false reports," added Mr Amarasekhara.

The author added: "In view of the nature of this story, I have asked that my investiture be postponed in order to avoid embarrassment to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales during his visit to Sri Lanka."


Relevant Stories

Tight security for Prince Charles in Sri Lanka (03 Feb 98 | World)
Protests precede Charles's visit to Sri Lanka (02 Feb 98 | World)
Sri Lanka - profile (28 Jan 98 | Special Report)
The new knight of science fiction (31 Dec 97 | UK)

Internet Links

The Arthur C Clarke Foundation
The Science Museum's Arthur C Clarke page
Arthur C Clarke unofficial homepage
3001: The Final Odyssey
Arthur C Clarke fan club
Sri Lanka's Sunday Times

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Summaries

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Tucker: I'm going to Jesus now
US promises cable car deaths inquiry
Murder on the veldt
Cheers and prayers greet Tucker's death
UK Foreign Secretary on Iraq crisis mission
Sri Lanka 'decimated by violence'
Gulf War legacy of fear
Weather hampers Philippine air crash search
Buddies Blair and Clinton look to paint the 'big picture'
China's wind of change over balloon bid
King 'crowned' by Tyson (From Sport)
Passports for Britain's overseas territories
The Empire is no more, but it's not all over yet
Armenian president resigns
Kenya opposition stage protests over ethnic killings
Australian cabinet split over republic
BJP makes nuclear commitment
US economy overturns 30-year deficit
Kofi Annan appeals to Saddam
Sarajevo encouraged to let refugees return (From Despatches)
Iraq faces massive force build-up
Israel braces itself for missile threat
Titanic rides high
Bosnian licence for silence


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