Sir Paul McCartney, who turned 70 this year, will join the likes of Liza Minnelli and Clint Eastwood by receiving the prestigious French Legion of Honour Award from President Francois Hollande this Saturday the 8th of September.

The Legion of Honour is France’s highest public award and originated in 1802 by Napolean Bonaparte. It comes in five degrees: Knight, Officer, Commander, Grand Officer and Grand Cross with McCartney being given the award of Officer.



French constitutional expert Edward Berenson called the medal Sir Paul will receive at Saturday's ceremony at the Elysee Palace in Paris "a very prestigious decoration that represents extraordinary public service". Other recipients include Quincy Jones, Dame Shirley Bassey, Ravi Shankar and designer John Galliano, however, he was stripped of the title after making anti-Semitic insults at a Paris restaurant.



It is the second time a veteran artist has been named to a high award in France this week, with James Taylor being given the Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters. The Legion of Honour is slightly strange in that it doesn’t come with a monetary award, but honourees are required to buy their physical award from a licensed jeweller for up to £700 (although we’re sure Paul can afford it!)