Queen guitarist Brian May receives honour at Buckingham Palace

Evening Standard Reporter

14 March 2023 at 7:53 am·1-min read

Sir Brian May has been given a knighthood by King Charles at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

As the virtuoso guitarist in rock band Queen, the 75-year-old is responsible for some of the biggest riffs in popular music, from the solo on Don’t Stop Me Now to the melodic strums of Somebody To Love.

Alongside late frontman Freddie Mercury, bassist John Deacon and drummer Roger Taylor, he scored numerous number ones during the group’s ’80s heyday, touring the world.

The musician, astrophysicist and animal welfare advocate was recognised for his services to music and charity.

Sir Brian is no stranger to Buckingham Palace, having performed during the Golden Jubilee in 2002, playing a solo guitar version of God Save The Queen from the roof of the famous royal residence.

In June last year he performed at the Platinum Jubilee, where the late monarch tapped the beat of We Will Rock You on a teacup at the end of a sketch featuring Paddington Bear.

There is also a prestigious honour on Tuesday for former Treasury permanent secretary Sir Tom Scholar, who becomes a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath having been summarily sacked by short-lived prime minister Liz Truss on her first day in office.

Brian May - In pictures

Brian May performs during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022 (PA Archive)

Sir Dr. Brian May, musician, songwriter and animal Welfare Advocate, from Windlesham, is made a Knight Bachelor by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace (PA)

Members Brian May, Roger Taylor, Freddie Mercury and John Deacon of band Queen (via REUTERS)

Brian May of Queen performs during Fire Fight Australia at ANZ Stadium (Getty Images)

Queen band member Brian May attends a press conference ahead of the Rhapsody Tour at a hotel in Seoul (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

British rock group Queen in concert with singer Freddie Mercury (1984) (Getty Images)

Brian May and Roger Taylor with The Prince And Princess of Wales and organiser Bob Geldof At The Live Aid Concert, Wembley Stadium (Aidan Sullivan/ANL/Shutterstock)

Queen: Freddie Mercury and Brian May (Rex)

The UK’s ambassador in Kyiv, Dame Melinda Simmons, will receive a damehood for her services to British foreign policy.

Saxophonist and broadcaster YolanDa Brown will be made an OBE for services to music, music education and to broadcasting.

Originally from Barking in London, the 40-year-old’s music brings together reggae, jazz and soul, and she has collaborated with acts such as Dave Stewart of Eurythmics, Stereophonics frontman Kelly Jones and Rick Astley.