Brian May (75) is now officially Sir Brian May. King Charles III. (74) has knighted the guitarist from Queen for his services to music and charity. The ceremony took place on Tuesday (March 14) at Buckingham Palace. As early as New Year 2023, the king announced the appreciation. Traditionally, new members of knightly orders are proclaimed for each new year.
May posted a picture of the ceremony on Instagram. The musician kneels before the king, who taps his shoulder with a sword. “Without words” wrote the newly crowned knight to the picture.
“I am happy and grateful to be given this honor,” he said after receiving the award. “I will not view the knighthood so much as a reward, but rather as a mandate – for me to keep fighting for justice – to be a voice for those who have no voice. I will strive to be worthy – this knight in to be in shining armour.”
Brian May is particularly committed to the rights of children and animals. In 2010, for example, he founded the animal rights organization Save Me. It fights, for example, to ensure that the ban on fox hunting is upheld. May has been Vice President of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals since 2012.
The Queen guitarist is an old acquaintance at Buckingham Palace. In 2005 he was awarded the Order of the British Empire with the rank of Commander. He played the national anthem on guitar at Queen Elizabeth II’s 50th jubilee. The doctor of astrophysics also performed at the 70th anniversary of the throne last year.
With King Charles III. Brian May has been in regular contact for a long time. “We’re the same age, so I have strong feelings for him,” he said after the knighting. Before the ceremony, according to May, the two men talked about whether he could kneel down without any problems.
