The Oscar-winning couple are in a list of honours recommended by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that also includes Conservative Party politicians and tech industry leaders.

Nolan and Thomas's recognition comes after their biopic about J Robert Oppenheimer, the "father of the atomic bomb", swept the awards season, notably at the Academy Awards in March, where the movie won seven Oscars, including best film and best director.

Nolan, 53, had previously been nominated for Memento, Inception and Dunkirk.

News of their honours was a bit of a surprise because they are usually handed out twice in the year, once to mark the new year and then on the birthday of King Charles III, who confers the honours.

However, the king is not undertaking any royal duties because he is undergoing treatment for cancer.

Born in London to a British father and American mother, Nolan met his future wife, Thomas, 53, while they both attended University College London.

They have four children and run a production company, Syncopy, which has been behind many of their blockbusters.

Among others to receive a knighthood are Demis Hassabis, the CEO of Google's DeepMind.

Other figures from the world of artificial intelligence who are honoured include Matthew Clifford, an AI adviser to the British government, and entrepreneur Ian Hogarth, chair of the AI Safety Institute, both of whom are now Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

Billionaire businessman and Conservative Party donor Mohamed Mansour was given a knighthood for business, charity and political service.

Sunak doled out awards to his Conservative MPs, too, with knighthoods for Philip Davies and Mark Spencer and damehoods for Tracey Crouch and Harriett Baldwin.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos was awarded an honorary CBE for services to creative industries.

AP an Reuters

Australian Associated Press