LONDON: King Charles III knighted Queen co-founder Brian May Tuesday, making him the first member of the legendary rock group to receive the honour.

King Charles bestowed the honour by placing a ceremonial sword on May's shoulder during the Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, officially making May a Knight Bachelor, according to United Press International (UPI).

May shared an image capturing the moment on his Instagram with the caption no words, it added.

May visited Buckingham Palace in 2002 for Queen Elizabeth's golden jubilee, where he performed God Save the Queen on the Palace roof. In 2005 he was given the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

The knighthood means that May will now be referred to as Sir Brian May.

In addition to being a legend of British rock music, May is also an astrophysicist and animal rights advocate who has lead campaigns to end fox hunting and badger culling via his organisation Save Me.

-- BERNAMA