Queen’s Brian May has been knighted as part of King Charles’ First New Year’s Honours

Queen founder and guitarist Brian May has been knighted as part of Britain’s New Year Honours, the annual collection of awards presented by the reigning monarch at the end of each year.

The list released on Friday is the first under King Charles III. after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September after 70 years on the British throne.

May, also an animal rights activist with a PhD in astrophysics, was named a CBE, or Knights Bachelor, “for services to music and charity,” according to the official list, which includes more than 1,000 winners in government and designated philanthropy. , art, sport, science and industry in the UK and internationally (read the full list here).

Earlier this year, May and the Queen performed on the roof of Buckingham Palace during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Grayson Perry, the British artist, writer and documentary presenter, was also awarded a CBE for services to the arts.

This year’s list of entertainment industry honorees also included Patricia Kinane, president of entertainment programming at FremantleMedia North America, who received an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to broadcasting and the international television format industry; and Henry Timms, president and CEO of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York, who is an OBE for services to the arts and philanthropy.

Jordan Wylie, the British adventurer, author and one of the stars of Channel 4 programmes hunted and Hunting Celebrities, was appointed MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire). Other MBEs were three members of the England women’s football team that won the European Championship in 2022. The captain, Leah Williamson, received an OBE

Fashion designer Dame Mary Quant has been awarded the Order of the Companions for services to fashion.