As in every new year, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II is recognizing noteworthy people in various fields and bestows awards upon them.
This year’s list contains nearly 1,100 people who will gets honors of different levels. Among the recognized this year are Elton John, Olivia Newton-John and Queen drummer Roger Taylor.
John was already knighted by the queen at Buckingham Palace in 1998 and will now be elevated to the highest level of the British honors system – the Order of the Companions. It is an honor that can be held by only 65 people at one time.
“I’m humbled and honored to be among such highly esteemed company in receiving the Companion of Honor,” John tweeted. “2019 has turned out to be a truly wonderful year for me and I feel extraordinarily blessed.”
Newton-John is already an officer of the Order of the British Empire since 1979. She will now be made a dame for “services to charity, cancer research and entertainment.”
In her statement she said: “I am extremely excited, honored and grateful beyond words to be included with such an esteemed group of women who have received this distinguished award before me.”
