That’s Sir Elton To You

He’s had more than a dozen hits, started his own AIDS charity, mixed with fellow stars in the celebrity firmament and played at Princess Diana’s funeral.

But for Elton John, receiving a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II on Tuesday was the pinnacle of his 33-year career.

“They don’t come much bigger than this,” a beaming Sir Elton told reporters.

In recognition of his charity work, notably for the Elton John AIDS Foundation, he received a lesser award, Commander of the Order of the British Empire, or CBE, from the queen in 1996.