Sir Elton John receives royal award from Prince Charles

Virgin Radio

11 Nov 2021, 15:24

Sir Elton John has been formally given the Order of the Companions of Honour by the Prince of Wales, for his outstanding campaigning work on AIDS, and his incredible music career.

The 74-year-old singer received the award in a ceremony at Windsor Castle on Wednesday (10th November), where he was seen walking with the help of a stick for the first time, following hip surgery. Elton’s cane was glistening, ornate and gold coloured.

Speaking after the ceremony, he said: “I’ve had an amazing life, music has been my life, and I got this for music and for work for charity.”

Talking about having the walking stick with him, the Rocket Man said: “I may not look as if I’m 100 percent fit... I’m not quite, but I’m still raring to go and I’ve got a lot more work to do as far as my life goes.”

He added: “So this is just a reminder that there’s more to do. More work to do for music, more work to do for charity and life is great - I’m so lucky.”

The legendary artist was forced to postpone his 2021 UK and European Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour dates due to the hip injury he sustained this summer from falling awkwardly. 

However, he told ITV News that’s he’s keen to get back on the road: "I’ve had a hip replacement but I’m full of beans and I’m full of zest, but this is just a prompter to say ‘come on you’ve got more to do now’."

Sir Elton was knighted back in 1998 for his services to music and charity. He has sold over 300 million records worldwide and last month became the first solo artist to score a UK Top 10 single in six different decades, when Cold Heart, his collaboration with Dua Lipa remixed by Australian electronic trio Pnau, hit the top spot.

Cold Heart was the singer's first UK number one single in 16 years.

As well as being responsible for some of the most iconic tunes of the past few decades, Sir Elton has dedicated much of his life to charity. The Elton John Aids Foundation was established in 1992 and is one of the leading independent AIDS organisations in the world. 

The Order of the Companions of Honour was established in 1917 by George V in recognition of service of national importance.