New knight Rod Stewart honoured at Queen’s birthday as he promises to ‘wear it well’
Rock legend awarded gong for service to music & charity gushes with joy — as Ant and Dec also pick up OBEs
ROCK legend Rod Stewart was knighted in the Queen’s birthday honours — then said of the precious gong: “I promise to wear it well.”
The 71-year-old Maggie May singer was recognised for his services to music and charity.
Meanwhile, astronaut Major Tim Peake became the first person honoured while in space and TV’s Ant and Dec, both 40, received OBEs.
Delighted Rod told fans the news at Southampton’s Ageas Bowl last night. He said: “I have the great pleasure of being able to tell you that your old mate up here has been knighted by Her Majesty The Queen.
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“I had a funny text from Elton (John) today, it said congratulations darling, who would have thought a couple of old tarts from North London would be knighted.”
The rocker added: “I thank Her Majesty and promise to wear it well.”
Major Tim, 44, still aboard the International Space Station, was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George for “extraordinary service beyond our planet”.
Dame Vera Lynn, 99, joined the likes of Sir David Attenborough, 90, Dame Maggie Smith, 81, and Stephen Hawking, 74, in becoming a Companion of Honour, as did ex- BBC governor Lord Smith of Kelvin.
Actor Brian Blessed, 79, also got an OBE despite claiming last week that the Queen said f*** to him.
Actress Penelope Wilton, 70, was made a Dame for services to drama and Loose Women’s Janet Street-Porter, 69, was made a CBE for services to journalism and broadcasting.
Cricket’s Alastair Cook and football’s Alan Shearer are also made CBEs while tennis ace Jamie Murray received an OBE.
Scott Button and Sarah Wood, the co-founders and co-chief executives of Unruly, were given OBEs for services to innovation and technology.
The same gong went to Margaret Calvert, 80, who helped design the UK’s road signage system.
Royal page Paul Whybrew, seen in the 007 spoof shot for the 2012 Olympics, got the Royal Victorian Medal. Some 1,149 people received honours.
We're celebs get us OBEs
ANT and Dec were honoured with OBEs — and said it is the achievement their “mams” will be most proud of.
The Geordie I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! hosts have worked together for 26 years and were voted Britain’s favourite presenters this year.
Ant, 40, told The Sun yesterday: “I’m absolutely thrilled. My mam’s really proud.
“There were tears on the phone when I told her. It’s a great honour.”
And Dec, also 40, told us: “I’m chuffed, really chuffed, just over the moon.”
They said in a statement: “We are just two ordinary lads from the West End of Newcastle. We hope us receiving this honour can inspire young people to chase their dreams and believe that anything is possible.”
They hosted The Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebration TV show and the 40 Years Of The Prince’s Trust documentary. They said: “What we do also allows us to work with amazing charities that really make a difference.
“It has been a fantastic year so far and we’re so grateful for all the support we receive.”
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