She congratulated the world champion for winning the Turkish Grand Prix on Sunday in a tweet shared to the Royal Family’s Twitter account. The Monarch wrote: “Congratulations to record-equalling seven-time F1 World Championship title winner @LewisHamilton – along with a record number of race wins, what an incredible achievement!”
Mr Hamilton responded to the message saying “What an incredible honour. Thank you so much.”
The well-wishes were met with some criticism from Twitter users who claimed the Formula One driver should “never be knighted” and that he “fled” to Monaco “because of UK tax laws”.
However, these claims have not been proven.
Others debunked rumours that he was trying to avoid paying tax in the UK and thanked the Queen for acknowledging the driver’s achievements.
Some fans even called on the Monarch to offer Mr Hamilton a knighthood for representing the nation in sports.
Motorsport UK chairman David Richards and the All Party Parliamentary Group for Formula One even wrote a letter to Boris Johnson campaigning for Hamilton to be knighted in the New Year Honours.
The letter said: “It would be totally wrong for the UK to deny Lewis an award befitting his historic achievements because of where he chooses to live or work or because his tax status has been misunderstood.
“Even though Lewis is resident in Monaco (Sir Jackie Stewart was based in Switzerland for many years whilst racing along with nearly every F1 driver).”
One Twitter user said: “He lives abroad, why should he pay UK tax? Jackie Stewart, Mansell, Button all for the same.
“Acknowledge his achievements he deserves a knighthood! Well done Lewis so proud of you.”
Another user added: “Thank you for recognising him. All of England should be applauding this man! He’s the greatest sportsman the country has ever had, hands down.
“He is the one that has made Sundays synonymous with the British anthem and we’re not going to see this again, at least not at this level.”
Mr Hamilton was previously invited to a private lunch with the Queen and was awarded an MBE in 2009.
