Prince Charles and Elton John.Photo: Clarence House Twitter
Elton Johnwas just made part of an exclusive group that includesMaggie Smith,Stephen HawkingandPaul McCartney.
The music icon, 74, was made a member of theOrder of the Companions of Honour, a special award granted to those who have made a major contribution to the arts, science, medicine or government over a long period of time. There can be only 65 members at any time in addition to the monarch, and John joined the Companions of Honour inQueen Elizabeth’s honors list in late 2019 for his services to music and charity.
Prince Charlespresented John with the honor on Wednesday during an Investiture Ceremony at Windsor Castle.
John has a long history with the royal family. He was famously friends withPrincess Dianaafter the two met atPrince Andrew’s 21st birthday party in 1981, the singer recalled in his 2019 autobiographyMe.
“She was blessed with an incredible social ease, an ability to make people feel totally comfortable in her company,” he wrote. “That night in 1981, she arrived in the ballroom and we immediately clicked. We ended up pretending to dance the Charleston while hooting at the disco’s feebleness.”
John said that Diana was “fabulous company, the best dinner party guest, incredibly indiscreet, a real gossip: you could ask her anything and she’d tell you.”
John famously performed “Candle in the Wind” at Princess Diana’s 1997 funeral at Westminster Abbey, changing some of the lyrics to honor her.
Princess Diana and Elton John.GERARD JULIEN/AFP via Getty
The singer maintained a relationship with Diana’s two sons. In 2007, 10 years after the royal’s tragic death,Prince WilliamandPrince Harryjoined John on stage at Wembley Stadium in London for a tribute concert for Diana, where he performed “Your Song.”
John and his husbandDavid Furnishwere also guests at Prince William’s 2011 wedding toKate Middleton, and the musician attended and performed at the 2018 wedding reception of Prince Harry andMeghan Markle.
Elton John with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.Niklas Halle’n-WPA Pool/Getty
Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!
Meghan and Furnish areteaming upto bringan animated series to Netflix. Archewell Productionsannounced in Julythat it is developing a family series calledPearl(working title) that centers on a 12-year-old girl’s “heroic adventure as she learns to step into her power and finds inspiration from influential women throughout history.”
source: people.com
