Glastonbury Founder Michael Eavis Recognised In New Year Honours List
Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis is one of the recipients of the UK’s annual New Year Honours for 2024.
Eavis, along with England goalkeeper Mary Earps and Game of Thrones actor Emilia Clarke are among the stars of sport, stage and screen recognised in the New Year Honours list, while the Archbishop of Canterbury leads those rewarded for their work on the King’s coronation.
Glastonbury Festival founder Sir Michael, listed under his full name Athelstan Joseph Michael Eavis, said he was looking forward to his investiture after being knighted for services to music and charity.
In an interview for the official Glastonbury website, Sir Michael said: “I think William might do the ceremony. He’s made a few mentions of wanting to come to the festival. So I’ll probably take a couple of tickets in my pocket!”
Elsewhere, on the New Year’s Honours list, Dame Shirley Bassey, who has sold more than 135 million records, is made Companion of Honour for her services to music, becoming the 64th living member of the order which can only have 65 members at any one time.
Dame Shirley, who was born and grew up in Tiger Bay in Cardiff, told the PA news agency: “My heart is full of emotion and I am truly humbled.”
Director and producer Sir Ridley Scott, whose works include Gladiator, Alien and Napoleon, is made a Knight Grand Cross, upgrading his previous knighthood, while author Jilly Cooper becomes a dame. She said in a statement: “I am absolutely and incredibly bowled over. I cannot believe I am a DBE, which in my case also stands for Delighted, Bewildered and Ecstatic.”
Sir Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, is made a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (RVO) for his personal service to the Crown during the coronation at Westminster Abbey in May.
Awards of the RVO are in the King’s gift and are bestowed independently of Downing Street to people who have served the monarch or the royal family in a personal way. Sir Justin conducted the service for the coronation and had the momentous task of anointing and crowning Charles and Camilla.
Other notable names in the New Year Honours List include England cricketer Stuart Broad, who is made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) following his retirement; singer Leona Lewis, who becomes an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE); and author Kate Mosse, who is also made a CBE.
Other showbiz names honoured include radio disc jockey Tony Blackburn, who is made an OBE, fellow DJ Steve Wright, sports broadcasters Jeff Stelling and Hazel Irvine and Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood, who each are made MBEs.