J.K. Rowling gets top French award

London, Feb 4 (IANS) J.K. Rowling, author of the best-selling "Harry Potter" series, has been conferred with the Legion of Honour, France's highest civilian award.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy bestowed Rowling with the honorary title of 'knight' at a ceremony in the Elysee Palace Tuesday, reports mirror.co.uk.

"This has a personal meaning," said Rowling.

Rowling's great-grandfather, who was French, received it in 1924 for courage in the First World War.

She also thanked readers for not holding a grudge because she gave evil Voldemort a French name, said guardian.co.uk.

"I needed a name which evoked power and exoticism," she said, adding that "Voldemort himself is 100 percent English".

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