VAN MORRISON, ONE of Ireland’s finest singer-songwriters, has been knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
70-year-old Morrison was honoured in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London today along with other celebrities including comedian Lenny Henry and American actor Kevin Spacey (who was made an honorary knight, which entitles him to the letters KBE after his surname, though he may not be addressed as ‘sir’).
The Belfast-born artist has been to the forefront of music since breaking through in the 1960s as the frontman of Them.
His solo career featured such timeless classics as Moondance, Brown Eyed Girl, and Have I Told You Lately That I Love You, while 1968′s Astral Weeks is routinely cited on ‘greatest ever album’ lists.
Morrison is notoriously publicity-shy.
He acknowledged today’s event on his official Facebook page however, calling it “a wonderful day”.
“Thanks to my amazing daughter Shana who who flew all the way from California to share this moment.
Wish all my children could have been here with me. Éabha and Fionn – miss you guys.
Others honoured at today’s event included Benedict Cumberbatch (who received a CBE), actor Martin Clunes (OBE), and singer Michael Ball (also OBE).
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