Bond 'to be knighted' for Olympics

James Bond is rumoured to have received the ultimate accolade from the Queen after decades of defeating villains - a knighthood.

The secret service agent has been dubbed a knight by the Queen at Buckingham Place during special sequences filmed for the opening ceremony of the Olympics, according to speculation.

Daniel Craig, who has played 007 in the last two Bond movies, is believed to have filmed at the royal residence alongside co-star Dame Judi Dench, who is spy chief M in the popular films, reported the Evening Standard.

Hollywood director Danny Boyle has been given the job of creating the Games' opening ceremony and has said he wants the £27 million project to celebrate the best of British culture.

Bond is a quintessentially British character and is likely to appeal to the global audience who will be watching on the night.

This year is the 50th anniversary of the first Bond movie Dr No which starred Sean Connery in the lead role.

While author Ian Fleming published Casino Royale, the first of his books featuring 007, in 1953 a year after the Queen came to the throne.

Both Buckingham Palace and the London 2012 organisers declined to comment about the speculation.

A Palace spokesman said: "We never confirm details of projects until transmission."