Sir Elton John has received the highest acknowledgement in a new year honours list in which hundreds of ordinary people were recognised alongside household names from sport, the arts, entertainment and politics.
The honours list, which was drawn up and approved during Theresa May’s premiership, rewards a glittering lineup of well-known figures from arts and sport.
The arts were well recognised, with British director Sam Mendes being knighted for his work in film and theatre.
He becomes one of only 64 people apart from the monarch who can hold the honour at any one time.