Queen guitarist Brian May already holds the honour of being a part of one of the greatest rock bands of all time but now the 75-year-old can boast that he has been knighted by King Charles.
May received the honour for his service to music and charity on Tuesday, March 14, during the Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Upon receiving his knighthood from King Charles, May told The Daily Mail that the honour was “very special” and that it was a “very good feeling” to be awarded his Knight Bachelor from the new monarch.
“We’ve had a certain amount of contact over the years and we’re of an age, so I have a strong feeling for him and it was a lovely moment,” he told the publication.
“We discussed the fact that we are of an age and he was wondering if my knees were holding out for the kneeling part of the ceremony. I said: ‘Yes, just about.
“To receive this award I suppose feels like getting approval, like when you get a gold star at school – perhaps you’ve done something and you know what you’ve achieved and if you get that seal of approbation from above, then it’s a very good feeling, it’s very special.”
May’s fans were quick to congratulate the legendary guitarist for his most recent accolade.
“Omg this is so exciting!! i have been waiting for this for years!! i am so happy and proud of Dr. Sir Brian May CBE!! Congrats&Mazal Tov!! so well deserved!! Love Him!!”
“Congratulations Sir Brian May, well deserved!”
“Freddie Mercury would’ve loved this!”
“Congratulations! Imagine how poetic it would have been if Sir Dr Brian May got it from the Queen?”
“Thank you much! I love him !!! I’m so happy!!! Queen the Love of my life!”
While fans were overjoyed to see May honoured with a knighthood, those who are keen to see the musician take to the stage once more alongside his Queen bandmates were no doubt delighted to hear that the band are considering another tour.
“We’re thinking about touring, I can say that,” he said.
“I’m hoping I stay in good health – at the moment I seem to be in pretty good health, which is always great.
“It’s not been an easy road and there’s been times I thought I would never do it again.
“But we all seem to be OK so we’re looking at doing some touring, and of course we tour at the top level and it’s very high energy and high demand on your fitness.
“If we don’t go out until October or whatever I’ll be working on my fitness from now on.”
In addition to his recent knighthood and stellar music career Sir Dr Brian May is also an astrophysicist and dedicated animal welfare advocate