NEWS

By Stephen Wynn-davies For Daily Mailonline  05 Apr 2022, updated 00:31 06 Apr 2022

Engelbert Humperdinck was today made an MBE during an investiture service at Windsor Castle. 

The British pop star, 85, was among a host a high-achievers to receive royal honours by the Princess Royal on Tuesday.

Others collecting awards included rocker Rick Wakeman, actor Sir Jonathan Pryce and former rugby player Rob Burrow.

Humperdinck, who rose to prominence in the late 1960s with chart-topping hits like Release Me and The Last Waltz, was made MBE in the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours list. 

Sir Jonathan Pryce, the 74-year-old Welsh actor who has won two Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Pope Francis in The Two Popes, was knighted in the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours list for his services to drama and charity.

He has also supported several charities, including Amnesty International, Epilepsy Action and Neurofibromatosis Association. 

Meanwhile, Wakeman, best known as the keyboardist in progressive rock band Yes, was awarded CBE on the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Rob Burrow, 39, who spent 16 years playing for the Leeds Rhinos and was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2019, was made an MBE in the 2021 New Year Honours list.

On Tuesday, he was honoured for his services to both the rugby league and the Motor Neurone Disease communities. 

During his career, Burrow won eight Grand Finals and 20 international caps during his playing days with Leeds, England and Great Britain.

He was recognised with the MBE for his efforts raising awareness about MND and for his sporting achievements.

Burrow, speaking after the service, paid tribute to his wife Lindsey, saying the day had given his partner the chance to 'get dressed up' and indulge in some 'escapism' away from her normal role looking after her husband.

The former sportsman, who now uses a wheelchair and speaks with the aid of a machine, said: 'I'm shocked to be accepting the MBE award, it's not something that was on the list of things that I wanted to achieve but I am absolutely honoured to receive this award.

'Any excuse to see my wife get dressed up in the dresses she deserves...I hope she enjoys the occasion like me.

'I've always got a kick out of giving close ones that experience like no other. It gives my Lindsey escapism from a normal day-to-day management of looking after me.

'I'm so proud to receive this because of my rugby and the awareness for MND, this most importantly means that MND continues to be talked about and keeping it in the public (eye).

'I'm blown away by the response to me getting the disease and I hope they know - it's all for you.'

Professor Jim Al-Khalili, a physicist, author and broadcast, was also made CBE on the Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to science and public engagement in Stem - and was today honoured in Windsor.

He was joined by composer and pianist Huw Watkins, who was awarded an MBE, and Dame Catherine Bingham, chair of the UK Government's Vaccine Taskforce, who was awarded a damehood - both on the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours List.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10688845/amp/Engelbert-Humperdinck-85-beams-MBE-investiture-service-Windsor-Castle.html