He is recognized for his significant contributions to justice, particularly in relation to the Post Office Horizon IT scandal.

Although a legal settlement of £57.75 million was reached, the affected subpostmasters received little after legal fees.

Previously, Bates declined an OBE offer, feeling it was inappropriate while Vennells retained her CBE award.

At the same ceremony, other honorees included Bafta-winning writer Armando Iannucci, who received a CBE for his contributions to film and television, and Anita Neil, awarded an MBE for her achievements in athletics.

Sir Alan Bates, a prominent advocate for subpostmasters impacted by the Post Office Horizon IT scandal, was knighted by Princess Anne at Windsor Castle on September 25, 2024.

An independent inquiry into the scandal was initiated by the government in 2020 and is currently nearing completion.

Bates has campaigned for years to clear the names of those wrongfully accused and to secure compensation for the affected subpostmasters.

Calls for Bates to be knighted gained momentum following the return of a CBE by former Post Office chief Paula Vennells amid renewed public outrage from an ITV drama about the scandal.

Upon receiving his knighthood, Bates expressed surprise and honor, hoping this recognition would aid in achieving justice for those affected by the scandal.

The scandal involved the wrongful prosecution of over 700 subpostmasters between 1999 and 2015 due to faults in Fujitsu's Horizon IT system, which falsely indicated missing funds.

The issue first came to light in 2009, leading to the formation of the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance, which Bates led in seeking legal redress.

Bates emphasized that the current financial compensation schemes for affected subpostmasters are ineffective and need reform to alleviate ongoing suffering.