Sir Tom says it's not unusual to love the Queen

Tom Jones displays the knighthood he received from Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. Picture / Reuters

LONDON - Welsh singing legend Tom Jones has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth in honor of the hip-swiveling star's four decades of performing.

Jones, 65, whose real name is Thomas Woodward, received the accolade for services to music at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London.

"It is fantastic. I love seeing the Queen and I have always been a royalist," he told the BBC afterwards.

"She is lovely and she still is lovely. She has got a great smile and her whole face lights up when she smiles."

Sir Tom - known as Jones the Voice in his homeland - had his first number one hit in 1965 with "It's Not Unusual" and went on to notch up a series of chart successes including "Delilah", "Green Green Grass Of Home" and "Sex Bomb".

A contemporary of Elvis Presley, he has won a new legion of fans in recent years performing with modern stars such as Wyclef Jean and Robbie Williams.

- REUTERS