Film director Christopher Nolan and his producer-wife, Emma Thomas, were honoured with a knighthood and damehood at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday (December 18).

The couple was recognised for their outstanding contributions to the film industry, including their work on The Dark Knight trilogy and Oppenheimer.

Speaking after the ceremony, Nolan shared that King Charles had seen Oppenheimer and enjoyed it. “It was very nice that he knew our work and was aware of it,” Nolan said.

The honours come just months after Oppenheimer swept the 2024 Academy Awards, with Nolan winning Best Director and the film taking Best Picture. The U.K. government had announced the honours back in March, shortly after the Oscars.

Nolan and Thomas, who met at University College London and married in 1997, have worked together on all of Nolan’s 12 films, with Thomas producing each one. The couple shares four children. Their next project, set for release in 2026, will star Tom Holland, Zendaya, and other big names.