Rod Stewart knighted

Rod Stewart has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in her annual Birthday Honours List, which also included recognition for astronaut Tim Peake and “Downton Abbey” star Penelope Wilton.

The raspy-voiced singer was honoured “for services to music and charity”. The 71-year-old will be able to call himself Sir Roderick David Stewart from now on. 

The twice-yearly royal honors reward hundreds of people for services to their community or national life. Most go to people who are not in the limelight, but there is also a sprinkling of famous faces.

Recipients also included 99-year-old singer Vera Lynn, who raised British spirits during World War II. She was made a Companion of Honor, an award limited to 65 people 'of distinction'.

Wilton, who played indomitable Isobel Crawley in Downton Abbey, was made a dame, the female equivalent of a knight.

Source: Billboard