Tonight’s the Knight for Sir Rod Stewart! Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2016 revealed

Rod Stewart, Tim Peake and Vera Lynn are among the high profile names who have been honoured in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Rod Stewart is being bestowed a Knighthood for his services to music and charity after having a career spanning for nearly half a century. Vera Lynn also becomes a Dame Companion of Honour in this year’s list for services to Entertainment and Charity.

British astronaut Tim Peake becomes a C.M.G, Order of Saint Michael and Saint George for services to space research and scientific education. He was on the International Space Station when he found out that he would be receiving this honour.
The Queen’s Birthday Honours, which is one of the two annual honours lists released (the other at New Year’s) in which individuals who have made a contribution to public life, in one way or another, are honoured for their service.

Other well known faces who make up this year’s list include journalist and broadcaster, Janet Street Porter who becomes a CBE, Downton Abbey star Penelope Wilton who becomes a Dame, and TV entertainment duo Ant and Dec who each received an OBE.

Actor and comedian Adil Ray has also been bestowed with an OBE for services to broadcasting, as has Brian Blessed.

In the world of sport, England cricket captain Alastiar Cook, former footballer Alan Shearer and jockey Hayley Turner have also received an OBE each.

There were also some new additions to the honours list that have a close royal connection. Miguel Head, Prince William’s senior aide, has been made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order.

Upon hearing the news he would be receiving an award, Sir Rod Stewart said: “I’ve led a wonderful life and have had tremendous career thanks to the generous support of the great British public.

“This monumental honour has topped it off and I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

99-year-old Dame Vera Lynn said: “I felt very greatly honoured to be given a damehood and never expected to receive anything else.”

70% of people honoured on the 2016 list are being recognised for work in their communities.

The Cabinet Office has said that it was the “most diverse” list in many years with women making up 47% of the total; 8.2% are from a minority ethnic background; and 5.2% have a disability.