Rod Stewart knighted in Queen's Birthday honours

Rod Stewart has been knighted for services to music and charity in the Queen's 90th Birthday Honours list. Photo / AP

Rod Stewart thanked the Queen for the "monumental" honour of being knighted in the Queen's 90th Birthday Honours list last night as he became Sir Rod Stewart for services to music and charity.

Sir Rod was the headline act among the 1149 people to receive an award, the Telegraph reported, in a list which also included OBEs for the television presenters Ant and Dec and the actor Brian Blessed, and a Companion of Honour medal for Dame Vera Lynn at the age of 99. Astronaut Tim Peake, meanwhile, became the first Briton honoured for work in space.

Sir Rod, 71, whose music career began in 1961, said: "I've led a wonderful life and have had a tremendous career thanks to the generous support of the great British public.

Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, attend a National Service of Thanksgiving marking Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday. Photo / AP

"This monumental honour has topped it off and I couldn't ask for anything more."

With a pun on one of his most famous songs, he added: "I thank Her Majesty and promise to 'wear it well'."

Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, who hosted the Queen's 90th Birthday horse pageant in May and have a long-standing connection to the Prince's Trust, said they were "shocked" by the news of their OBEs for services to broadcasting and entertainment.

"We are just two ordinary lads from the west end of Newcastle," said the 40-year-olds. "This will definitely be the proudest our mams have ever been."

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip attend a National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral in London marking the Queen's 90th birthday. Photo / AP

Alan Shearer, the former England striker, receives a CBE for charitable services to the community in the North East.

Brian Blessed, 79, said he was "absolutely delighted" with his OBE for services to the arts and charity.

Dame Vera Lynn's contribution to entertainment and charity was also recognised with a Companion of Honour award. The wartime singer was given an OBE in 1969 for services to the Royal Air Forces Association before being made a Dame six years later following further charity work.

Dame Vera said the further accolade was "very unexpected".

Penelope Wilton, the actress and star of Downton Abbey, is one of 13 new Dames, for her services to drama.

Kate, Duchess of Cambridge (centre), the Earl of Wessex and Juliet Mountevans, wife of Lord Mayor of London at a reception following a service marking Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday. Photo / AP

Major Tim Peake, 44, was told he had been recommended for the Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) over the phone. Major Peake said: "This is not an award for me. This is to recognise the hundreds of dedicated staff who made my mission possible."