The formidable Guido Fawkes of Order-order has speared "Sir" Michael White, long-serving political editor of Grauniad rather elegantly in this piece about ministerial usage of the Royal Flight. And he's onto something. Mr. White is getting on, and surely has his eye on a knighthood to keep him warm in retirement.
The piece in question takes the idea that the cost per flight is roughly £1000 at face value, and suggests that Mrs. Beckett is a major terrorist target.
The knighthood is a forgone conclusion. We shouldn't have to wait on an appointment with Her Majesty to use it.