After receiving a knighthood in the New Year’s Honours, Queen guitarist Brian May has spoken of the sense of “responsibility” he feels to act in a way that “benefits” Britain. May, whose poodle hairstyle and virtuoso playing on hits like “Don’t Stop Me Now” exemplified an era of rock flamboyance, will be knighted for services to music and charity.
The musician, who later worked as an animal welfare advocate and astrophysicist, is one of a number of famous people being honored for their contribution to British culture.
May said that when he heard about the honor, he was shocked at first.
He stated, “I don’t think I expected it because I haven’t been conducting the kind of life that I thought would lead to a knighthood.” “For starters, I’ve been quite vociferous in criticizing recent governments.” As a result, I conceived that I was wrong about everything.
May continued: Additionally, I believe it comes with a duty to continue acting in a manner that serves the country, the rest of the population here, and the world.
In 2005, Queen Elizabeth II bestowed the CBE on the 75-year-old for her contributions to charity and the music industry. One of the most memorable images of Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee in 2002 was his performance of God Save the Queen on the roof of Buckingham Palace.
After receiving a knighthood in the New Year’s Honours, Queen guitarist Brian May has spoken of the sense of “responsibility” he feels to act in a way that “benefits” Britain. May, whose poodle hairstyle and virtuoso playing on hits like “Don’t Stop Me Now” exemplified an era of rock flamboyance, will be knighted for services to music and charity.
The musician, who later worked as an animal welfare advocate and astrophysicist, is one of a number of famous people being honored for their contribution to British culture.
May said that when he heard about the honor, he was shocked at first.
He stated, “I don’t think I expected it because I haven’t been conducting the kind of life that I thought would lead to a knighthood.” “For starters, I’ve been quite vociferous in criticizing recent governments.” As a result, I conceived that I was wrong about everything.
May continued: Additionally, I believe it comes with a duty to continue acting in a manner that serves the country, the rest of the population here, and the world.
In 2005, Queen Elizabeth II bestowed the CBE on the 75-year-old for her contributions to charity and the music industry. One of the most memorable images of Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee in 2002 was his performance of God Save the Queen on the roof of Buckingham Palace.
The guitarist is also a co-founder of the Save Me Trust, which fights for the rights of foxes and badgers. He also co-founded International Asteroid Day and had one named after him, 52665 Brianmay. He is likewise VP of the Regal Society for the Counteraction of Remorselessness to Creatures (RSPCA).
Regarding his knighthood, he said, I don’t see it as much of a reward as I do as a kind of obligation, like a kind of commission, to fight for justice and those who don’t have a voice, as one would expect a knight to do. In my case, and for all creatures without voices.”
Dame Mary Quant, a fashion designer widely credited with popularizing the mini skirt and creating one of the defining looks of the 1960s, is also honored for her work as a cultural pioneer.
For her contributions to fashion, she has been inducted into the Order of the Companions of Honour.
George V established the special award, which is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts, science, medicine, or government.
The broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, the actress Dame Judi Dench, the former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, and the singer-songwriter Sir Elton John are among the recipients on our list.
She started exploring different avenues regarding more limited hemlines in the last part of the 1950s and named the subsequent skirt after her #1 make of vehicle.
Later, the designer, who received the OBE in 1966 and the Dame in 2014, stated: The mini was created by the girls on King’s Road. I was creating clothes that let you run and dance, and we would tailor them to the customer’s specifications. When I wore them very short, people would comment, “Shorter, shorter.”
For his contributions to the arts, Grayson Perry, an artist, writer, and broadcaster, has been made a Knight Bachelor.
The 62-year-old actor calls himself a “tranny potter” and is well-known for dressing as Claire, his female alter ego, in public.
He was awarded the CBE in 2014 for his contributions to contemporary art. At the investiture ceremony, he donned what he referred to as his “Italian mother of the bride” costume.
Stephen Graham will receive an OBE for services to drama for his explosive performances in This Is England, Line of Duty, and the 2019 gangster epic The Irishman.
The 49-year-old Merseyside-born actor, who also played Al Capone in the drama series Boardwalk Empire, has said that Hannah Walters, who also stars in This Is England and Boiling Point and is his wife, helped him recover from a suicide attempt in his early 20s.
The star of Countdown, Rachel Riley, has been awarded an MBE for her efforts to combat anti-Semitism and raise awareness of the Holocaust.
The mathematician and television host, whose mother is Jewish, has criticized Labour’s handling of alleged anti-Semitism within the party as well as Jeremy Corbyn, the party’s former leader.
Riley won tens of thousands of pounds in damages and had to deal with a slew of online arguments about anti-Semitism.
The “crowning achievement” for all those who assisted Anne Diamond, who campaigned to stop cot death, has been her OBE.
The 68-year-old broadcaster dedicated the achievement to her late son Sebastian, and she was recognized in the New Year’s Honours for her contributions to charity and public health.
She stated: Everyone who supported me and provided ground-breaking research for my campaign deserve this OBE, which is literally their crowning achievement.
Janet Kay, a 64-year-old actress and singer whose 1970s Lovers Rock chart hit Silly Games introduced a generation to the lovers’ rock version of reggae, has received an MBE for her contributions to music.
For his contributions to entertainment, comedian Frank Skinner has received an MBE. Since his first stand-up show in 1987, he has become one of Britain’s most well-known comedians.
The hit England football song Three Lions was written by him and fellow comedian David Baddiel for the 1996 European Championships. It is now one of the country’s most well-liked anthems.
In recognition of her contributions to animal conservation, the actress and pioneering wildlife campaigner Virginia McKenna will be given the title of dame.
Her Born Free Foundation, which was established in 1984, works to free animals from captivity and safeguard endangered species and natural habitats.
