NORTH East university graduate and Apple design genius Sir Jonathan Ive has received his knighthood.

The Newcastle Polytechnic graduate was made a Knight Commander, Order of the British Empire (KBE) for services to design and enterprise at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace yesterday.

The 45-year-old senior vice president of industrial design at Apple, who is credited as the creator of some of the modern ages’ best-loved gadgets, was knighted by the Princess Royal at the ceremony in London.

Sir Jonathan, who was born in Chingford, London, but now lives in San Francisco, is credited with designing the iPhone, iPod, iPad and iMac, and has been described as the most influential Briton living in the US.

Speaking of his knighthood, Sir Jonathan, who flew to Britain from the US with his wife and eight-year-old twin sons to receive the honour, said it was a “thrilling” moment.

“It has been wonderful. It was really thrilling and particularly humbling,” he said after the ceremony.

Sir Jonathan said that he and the Princess Royal had talked about how often he comes to the UK and about her iPad.

When asked about the impact of his products on the modern world, he said: “We don’t really spend much time thinking about our impact.

“We are fully consumed with trying to make the very best products that we can.”