Ringo Starr is set to finally receive a knighthood next week

He’s known for being one of the most famous drummers of all time, and for being in one of the most influential and beloved musical groups ever, but there’s always been one thing that has managed to elude The Beatles’ Ringo Starr – a knighthood. Well, until now that is.

As The Telegraph notes, Ringo Starr is set to finally receive a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II during the upcoming New Year’s Honours, 20 years after bandmate Paul McCartney first received his.

Considered by some to be a long overdue honour, Starr first received national recognition back in June 1965, when Queen Elizabeth II appointed all members of The Beatles Members of the Order of the British Empire. Controversially, this honour was bestowed at a time when it was primarily given to high ranking members of the military instead of entertainers, causing a number of MBE recipients to actually return their award in protest.

A close friend of Ringo’s recently spoke to The Telegraph, stating the news “came as a bolt from the blue,” but added that “Ringo was totally knocked sideways but is chuffed to bits.”

“He’ll feel ten feet tall when he goes back,” the friend stated. “Sadly, two of the Beatles, John Lennon and George Harrison, are no longer here to be honoured in a similar way.

“But giving Ringo a knighthood will go some way towards recognising the enormous contribution The Beatles made to popular music. He is a beacon of Beatlemania.”

Famously, Paul McCartney had spoken about his confusion as to why Ringo had not been given the same honour as him just yet, joking how he’d love to stop by Buckingham Palace to try and convince the Queen.

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“The last time I went by she was out. Otherwise I would have popped in and said ‘Look, love, Sir Richard Starkey’,” jokes McCartney. “Because I do think it’s about time, but she probably was a bit busy with Sir Brucie.”