A King knows a Queen!
King Charles knighted Queen guitarist Brian May in a ceremony on Tuesday. May became a Knight Bachelor for his services to charity and the music industry.
May took to Instagram on Tuesday where he shared an image of the king placing a sword on his shoulder. “No words! Bri,” the 75-year-old musician captioned the post.
In December, Buckingham Palace announced that May – as well as 1,100 other individuals – would be celebrated on the 2023 New Year Honours List, Charles’ first honours list as reigning monarch.
May joins other musicians, such as Elton John, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger and Rod Stewart, who have received the prestigious award.
Sir Brian May after being made a Knight Bachelor for services to music and charity by King Charles III during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace. (Getty Images)
Following the announcement, May told The Associated Press, “Maybe a few more people will listen to me than would otherwise, you know, if it’s Sir Brian on the phone,” he said.
May noted that this honor could bring him “a little bit more clout.”
Bryan May, the guitarist for Queen, performs during “The Rhapsody Tour.” (Paul Charbit/Gamma-Rapho)
Knights are addressed as “sir” or “dame,” followed by their name. The rocker shared that his wife, Anita Dobson, was thrilled to now use the title of Lady May.
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“She’s thrilled to bits. Yes, yes, she’s very happy about that. Yes, Lady Anita will be enjoying it, and it’s a thrill to me to be able to kind of confer that on her,” he said. “It makes me feel proud that she gets an honor beside me because God knows I wouldn’t be here without her,” May continued, praising his wife of 22 years.
May was joined by his wife during the ceremony.
Brian May was joined by his wife Anita Dobson after being made a Knight Bachelor for services to music and charity by King Charles III. (Victoria Jones – WPA Pool)
Brian May said he had “no words” after being knighted by King Charles. (Photo by Victoria Jones – WPA Pool)
The “We Will Rock You” songwriter met the late Queen Elizabeth in 2005 and performed at two of her Jubilees, the Golden Jubilee in 2002 and the Platinum Jubilee 20 years later in 2022.
In addition to his music career, May has campaigned against badger culling and fox hunting through an animal welfare group he founded in 2010 – named Save Me after the 1980 Queen song. Some animals he’s rescued over the years were released onto his land.
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Charles hosted his first Commonwealth Day service alongside senior members of the royal family – including Prince William and Kate Middleton – at Westminster Abbey on Monday.
The weeks-long occasion is a “series of events and activities happening around the globe – including faith and civic gatherings, debates, school assemblies, flag-raising ceremonies and cultural events,” that celebrate the late queen’s signing of the Commonwealth Charter.
King Charles spoke at Westminster Abbey for Commonwealth Day. (Jordan Pettitt – WPA Pool)
Charles paid tribute to his mother during his address, sharing that “Commonwealth Day was an occasion of particular pride for my beloved Mother, the late Queen – a treasured opportunity to celebrate our Commonwealth family, to whose service she dedicated her long and remarkable life,” he relayed. “In succeeding Her Majesty as Head of the Commonwealth, I draw great strength from her example, together with all that I have learnt from the extraordinary people I have met, throughout the Commonwealth, over so many years.”
King Charles, Prince William, Kate Middleton and more senior members of the royal family celebrated Commonwealth Day. (Samir Hussein/WPA Pool)
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“The Commonwealth has been a constant in my own life, and yet its diversity continues to amaze and inspire me. Its near-boundless potential as a force for good in the world demands our highest ambition. Its sheer scale challenges us to unite and be bold.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
