Ringo Starr has finally become a royal knight for his decades-long contribution to the music industry.
The 77-year-old rockstar, who rose to worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles, was knighted by Prince William on Tuesday morning at Buckingham Palace, TMZ reports. The Royal Family announced the big news on social media with two photos from the special ceremony, one of which shows the Duke of Cambridge laying a sword across Starr’s shoulder.
Congratulations Sir Ringo Starr!
Today at Buckingham Palace, the Beatles drummer was honoured by The Duke of Cambridge for his services to music. pic.twitter.com/bdSe2lrRwn
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 20, 2018
“Congratulations Sir Ringo Starr! Today at Buckingham Palace, the Beatles drummer was honoured by The Duke of Cambridge for his services to music,” the Royal Family wrote in a tweet.
The legendary drummer received the honor an astonishing 21 years after Beatles frontman Paul McCartney. Fellow Beatles John Lennon and George Harrison are unable to receive the same honor as it’s only granted to honorees while they’re still living.
(Photo by John Stillwell – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Starr joins a very short list of musicians to earn the prestigious title with his knighting on Tuesday. Fellow Brits Elton John, Rod Stewart and Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger are all members of the elite club.