Sir Paul McCartney Made Légion d'honneur Officer

Former Beatle Paul McCartney received France's highest public distinction for his contribution to music on Saturday September 8, 2012 when President Francois Hollande made him an officer of the Legion of Honour in a short ceremony at the presidential palace.

Shortly after the private ceremony during which Hollande joked with McCartney he had preferred the Rolling Stones to the Beatles, the British rock star gave a thumbs up and tweeted his thanks to France.

Created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the Legion of Honour has three grades - chevalier, officer and commander. It carries social status but no money, and recipients have to buy their own medal from a licensed jeweller, with prices ranging from 169 to 700 euros for the highest rank. MORE HERE