BELFAST MUSIC LEGEND Van Morrison has been given a Knighthood in Queen Elizabeth’s birthday honours list, which was announced tonight.
In a statement on his website, the 69-year-old singer called it a “huge honour.”
Throughout my career I have always preferred to let my music speak for me and it is a huge honour to now have that body of work recognised in this way.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the fans who have supported me on my musical journey.
The official citation says Morrison has been knighted “For services to the Music Industry and to Tourism in Northern Ireland.”
Van isn’t the only Irishman to receive the highest honour, however.
Dublin-born Ciarán Devane, Chief Executive of the British Council, has also been given a knighthood “for services to cancer patients.”
The Irishman, educated at UCD, was head of MacMillan Cancer Support, the UK’s largest cancer charity, until last October.
Also knighted are former Wales and Lions rugby player Gareth Edwards and comedian Lenny Henry, and the American actor and star of House of Cards, Kevin Spacey, who was given an honorary knighthood.
Actor Benedict Cumberbatch has been given some form of payback, after losing out to fellow Brit Eddie Redmayne for this year’s Best Actor Oscar.
The star of Sherlock is now a Commander of the British Empire (CBE), while Redmayne, who played Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything, is a mere Officer (OBE).
Read the full list of honours here.
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