Sir Paul McCartney is made a Companion of Honour at Buckingham Palace

Sir Paul McCartney has been made a Companion of Honour for services to music.

The former Beatle, 75, received the award from the Queen on 4 May 2018, during a ceremony held at Buckingham Palace in London. He was accompanied by his wife Nancy Shevell.

Congratulations Sir @PaulMcCartney who has been made a #CompanionofHonour at Buckingham Palace today for his lasting contribution to music in the UK and Worldwide. pic.twitter.com/f6QAQKInWr

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 4, 2018

The award was announced in June 2017, as part of the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Speaking at the time, McCartney said: “I’m very happy about this huge honour, and with the news coming on my birthday weekend and Father’s Day, it makes it colossal!”

In a press statement, McCartney said:

I see this as a huge honour for me and my family and I think of how proud my Liverpool mum and dad would have been to see this.

The singer was knighted in 1997, and received the MBE along with the other Beatles in 1965. The new award means that Sir Paul McCartney, Kt, MBE will now also include the initials CH after his name.

The Order of the Companions Honour was founded in 1917, and is awarded for service of conspicuous national importance. The other recipients in the 2017 list were Sir Terence Conran, Sir Mark Elder, Dame Beryl Grey, Lord Stern of Brentford, JK Rowling, Dame Steve Shirley, Delia Smith, and Sir John Sulston.

McCartney’s fellow former Beatle, Ringo Starr, received his knighthood at Buckingham Palace on 20 March 2018.