On May 8th, J.K. Rowling is set to receive the Freemen of the City of London honour, meaning she will be an honorary citizen, for her services to children’s literature. Alderman David Wootton, Lord Mayor of the City of London, elaborated on his nomination by saying, “Her Freedom, which is bestowed on her for services to children’s literature, recognises two unique achievements – the astonishing success of the series, and the way in which Harry Potter’s adventures have not only enthralled book lovers, but also encouraged many young people to lose themselves in a book for the first time.” Jo had this to say of the honor:

Both my parents were Londoners.  They met on a train departing from King’s Cross Station in 1964, and while neither of them ever lived in London again, both their daughters headed straight for the capital the moment that they were independent.  To me, London is packed with personal memories, but it has never lost the aura of excitement and mystery that it had during trips to see family as a child.

I am prouder than I can say to be given the Freedom of the City, which, on top of all the known benefits (and few people realize this), entitles me to a free pint in The Leaky Cauldron and a ten Galleon voucher to spend in Diagon Alley.

Her Freedom ceremony will be held at The Mansion House, the Lord Mayor’s official residence and will begin with her reading aloud the Declaration of a Freeman, and end with her being greeted by Chris Bilsland, Chamberlain of London, as a ‘Citizen of London’ and the presentation of her framed parchment certificate.

Other notable honors JKR has received are an OBE for services to children’s literature, the Prince of Asturias Award for Concord, the Hans Christian Andersen Award, and the Légion d’Honneur.