Queen drummer Roger Taylor and guitarist Sir Brian May received the prestigious Polar Music Prize from the King of Sweden during a gala ceremony held in Stockholm on Tuesday.
The rock legends shared the honour with US jazz musician Herbie Hancock and Canadian conductor Barbara Hannigan at the Grand Hotel Stockholm.
Founded by Abba publisher, lyricist and manager Stig “Stikkan” Anderson, the award celebrates the power and importance of music.
The prize is awarded to individuals, groups or institutions for excellence in the world of music, with the ceremony presented by mezzo-soprano and journalist Boel Adler.
Taylor, 75, delivered an emotional acceptance speech reflecting on Queen’s unexpected journey and said: “When we started our band… we had ambitions, but never dreamed of the journey that was to follow.
“We were fortunate in the fact that our four wildly different personalities came together to achieve a wonderful chemistry.”
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Taylor praised the award’s unique recognition of entire careers rather than individual achievements and added: “The Polar Music Prize is exceptional in the fact that unlike other awards it recognises the entirety of an artiste’s career.
“We are so proud to be the recipients of this incredibly prestigious award.”
May added: “In this special moment, I contemplate how that younger Brian May in 1974 would have felt if he knew that we would be living this kind of dream 50 years in the future.”
The guitarist proudly announced their win on his Instagram account by sharing an image of himself and Taylor and penned a heartfelt caption.
“Rog and me tonight in Stockholm!!! Big thanks to the Polar Awards!!! Bri.”
Fans were quick to comment on their proud achievement, with one noting: “Absolutely blown away by y’all’s speeches! Congratulations!”
Another added: “Congratulations! Your speeches were very moving. I may have cried. Love you guys so much!!!”
“I loved your speech Bri!!! Congratulations,” a third said before another expressed: “So well deserved dear pal!
“I saw your acceptance speeches and they were excellent even though you brought tears to my eyes when you were talking about your dear dad Bri. Well done and big congratulations! BTW you both looked extremely handsome too.”
Another proud fan wrote: “So deserved! I loved your eloquent speeches, and you both looked wonderful while delivering them on top of it all.”
A sixth cheered: “Congratulations, this was an very emotional event. So good to see you well and healthy. Congratulations to this amazing moment!”
The evening featured live musical performances celebrating Queen’s legacy and the other laureates.
Rock band Ghost performed a rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody alongside Opeth guitarist Fredrik Akesson.
Queen frontman Adam Lambert took to the stage to perform the hits Who Wants To Live Forever and Another One Bites The Dust.
