The 2020 New Years Honours list featured some big names from Sir Elton John to Olivia Newton-John. While Queen drummer Roger Taylor has been made an OBE. Now Queen guitarist Brian May, who is a CBE, has taken to Instagram to congratulate his lifelong friend and bandmate.
May wrote: “Congratulations Rog OBE !!! What does OBE mean ? Well, for all you non-Brits, let me explain.
“The letters stand for Order of the British Empire – a traditional honour presented to people who have achieved worthy things in the eyes of … well, the British Monarchy, under advice.
“It’s the beginning of a whole spectrum of honours. Next one up is the MBE – Member of the British Empire – and above that is the CBE – Commander of the British Empire.
“The next level of the game is a KBE – a Knighthood – which entitles the recipient to be known as Sir.”
READ MORE: Queen: Brian May shares touching Freddie Mercury songwriting memory
The 72-year-old added: “I received a CBE some years ago. It doesn’t change your life very much apart from giving you some letters to put after your name in correspondence !
“The award which really moves you to a different place in Society is when they make you a LORD – which entitles you (or requires you) to sit in the a House of Lords, participating in the passing of British laws and policies.
“So there ya go ! Who decides these things ?
“Well, it’s all done quietly behind closed doors by a small committee – but most awards have been lobbied for, by friends and colleagues who feel the person deserves recognition!!!”
Meanwhile, Taylor and May have had quite the year with the success of Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody.
Despite mixed reviews from the critics, Bohemian Rhapsody went on to make over $900 million worldwide.
The film then won Best Picture at the Golden Globes before storming the Oscars and taking more Academy Awards of any movie in 2019.
May and Taylor have also toured North America as Queen and Adam Lambert for their Rhapsody tour. The team-up continues next year across Asia, Oceania, Europe and the UK.
While 2020 also marks the 50th anniversary of Queen’s formation, so here’s hoping for some big surprises for fans.
Just before Christmas, May and Taylor shared a new animated music video of Freddie Mercury’s Thank God It’s Christmas.
The animation shows a snowy city scene, with families enjoying time together inside, while others are seen with animals outside.
By the time the scene reaches the roof, a group of friends are watching what looks like the Northern Lights. Both May and Taylor came up with the concept for the Thank God It’s Christmas animated film.
