May, also an astrophysicist and animal welfare advocate, received the title of knight bachelor “for services to Music and to Charity” according to the Gazette, the official publication of the British royal family.

He is now regarded as Sir Brian May. A “knight bachelor” does not belong to any particular order and the recognition is simply considered “an appointment” that allows the recipient to adopt the title of “Sir” without post-nominal letters.

British musician Brian May poses with his medal after being knighted during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London on Tuesday. Photo: AFP / Getty Images / TNS
May is no stranger to the royal headquarters: The guitar soloist famously performed Britain’s national anthem from the rooftop of Buckingham Palace in 2002 during the late Queen Elizabeth’s golden jubilee, calling it “a career highlight” in an interview with Britain’s 5 News. He returned for the platinum jubilee - along with singer Adam Lambert - last year.

On Tuesday, the rock veteran returned to the palace to formalise his appointment.

He said he was “smiling ear-to-ear” to be bestowed the title by the king himself.

“We’ve had a certain amount of contact over the years and we’re of an age, so I have a strong feeling for him and it was a lovely moment,” May said.

“We discussed the fact that we are of an age and he was wondering if my knees were holding out for the kneeling part of the ceremony. I said: ‘Yes, just about.’”

Coronation oil for Britain’s King Charles consecrated in Jerusalem

Indeed, May knelt briefly with the help of a bar while the 74-year-old sword-wielding monarch did the honours.

“To receive this award I suppose feels like getting approval, like when you get a gold star at school - perhaps you’ve done something and you know what you’ve achieved and if you get that seal of approbation from above, then it’s a very good feeling, it’s very special,” May added.

In a December interview with Associated Press, May acknowledged that he already possessed “a certain amount of power in the world, mainly because of music, obviously”. But he he hoped knighthood would give him “a little bit more clout”.

“Maybe a few more people will listen to me than would otherwise, you know, if it’s Sir Brian on the phone,” he joked.

The We Will Rock You songwriter and Bohemian Rhapsody musician also teased the prospect of touring with Queen again.

The band, whose origin story was told in the 2018 Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, has continued to tour with glam rocker Lambert in lieu of its late frontman Mercury. May served as executive music producer on the Oscar-winning film.

Who is the richest member of rock band Queen? Net worths, ranked

“We’re thinking about touring, I can say that,” May said. “I’m hoping I stay in good health - at the moment I seem to be in pretty good health, which is always great.”

May said that “it’s not been an easy road” and that there have been “times I thought I would never do it again”.

“But we all seem to be OK so we’re looking at doing some touring, and of course we tour at the top level and it’s very high energy and high demand on your fitness,” he explained.

“If we don’t go out until October or whatever I’ll be working on my fitness from now on.”