Hollywood Knights: Stars Who Have Received the Order of the British Empire

The 71-year-old singer is officially Sir Roderick David Stewart after being knighted by Prince William on Oct. 11, 2016, at Buckingham Palace. The honor was in recognition of his services to music and charity. He was accompanied by his wife, 45-year-old model Penny Lancaster, and their two children, 11-year-old Alastair and 5-year-old Aiden.

Joan Collins is the latest actress to be named a dame by Queen Elizabeth II.

The beloved Dynasty star is being honored for her services to charity, which in the past has already included being named a patron of the International Foundation for Children with Learning Disabilities, and receiving a lifetime achievement award from the Association of Breast Cancer Studies in Great Britain for her contribution to breast cancer awareness in the U.K.

Along with Joan Collins, actress Kristin Scott Thomas is also being honored with damehood, but for her services to drama.

The Oscar-nominated actress has starred in such critically acclaimed hits as Four Weddings and a Funeral, The English Patient and Gosford Park.

"I'm thrilled, astonished and worried that I might suddenly wake up," she told the BBC about being selected. 

The Lincoln star and three-time Academy Award winner was knighted by Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, on November 14, 2014. Click through to see other celebrities who have received some of Britain's highest honors.

In June 2014, Angelina Jolie was appointed an Honorary Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (DCMG) for her services to the United Kingdom's foreign policy and campaigning to end sexual violence in war zones.

With a career spanning nearly 60 years and countless memorable roles, Dench is one of Britain's most renowned actors of stage and screen. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1970 and made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1988. 

Most recently acclaimed for his role as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, McKellen has received nearly 20 major acting awards for his performances ranging from Shakespeare to science fiction. He was knighted in 1991 for services to the performing arts.

Arguably one of the most successful musicians of all time, McCartney became beloved as a member of The Beatles and his successful solo career continues to this day. The Beatles received MBEs in 1965 and McCartney was knighted for his services to music in 1997.

One of the most successful solo male singers of all time, John has more than fifty Top 40 hits, six Grammys, and five Brit awards to his name. He has performed at many royal functions, including the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and was knighted for "services to music and charitable services" in 1998.

The Scottish actor and director is perhaps best know for originating the role of James Bond in the first seven Bond films. He was knighted by the Queen in 2000, thought it is rumored that his staunch activism for Scottish independence caused his knighthood to be delayed.

One of Britain's most recognizable actors, Caine is one of only two actors to be nominated for an Academy Award in every decade since the 1960s. He was knighted in 2000 in recognition of his contribution to cinema.

Best known for his Academy Award-winning role as Mohandas Gandhi in 1982's Gandhi, Kingsley's acting career has spanned over 40 years and garnered him an Oscar, a Grammy, a BAFTA, and two Golden Globes. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2002.

The Rolling Stones' lead singer was appointed a knight bachelor during the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2002 and was knighted by Prince Charles in December 2003. His knighthood was received with mixed reviews from both critics and fans and it is rumored that the Queen avoided knighting him herself due to his anti-establishment views.

The U2 frontman and activist was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2005, the same year he was named "Person of the Year" by Time Magazine.

A renowned stage, screen, and voice actor most widely know for his roles as Star Trek's Captain Jean-Luc Picard and X-Men's Professor Charles Xavier, Stewart was made a Knight Bachelor in 2010 for his services to the dramatic arts.

An acclaimed actor and director, Branagh is perhaps best known for his performances in Shakespeare adaptations (Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing) and was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of Sir Laurence Olivier in My Week With Marilyn. He was knighted in November 2012.