Arise, Sir Jumping Jack Flash
Rolling Stone Mick Jagger, alias Jumping Jack Flash, will today receive his knighthood at Buckingham Palace.
Jagger, 60, was due to kneel before the Prince of Wales to be dubbed a Knight Bachelor for services to pop music.
He joins pop knights Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Elton John at the top of rock’s hall of honours.
The grand old rocker was arriving at the Palace with his 92-year-old father Joe and daughters Elizabeth, 19, and Karis, 32.
But not everyone has welcomed the honour, recommended by Prime Minister Tony Blair, and some believe the one-time anti-establishment rebel has sold out.
Fellow Stone Keith Richards is in no doubt about what Mick should do with the knighthood.
“I don’t want to step out on stage with someone wearing a f****** coronet and sporting the old ermine,” he said emphatically.
Not that Jagger's gong – an oval gold medal worn around the neck on a red ribbon – comes with the headgear and robes of a lord of the realm.
However, the ageing rock star’s gong could conceivably catch on as the ultimate in “bling-bling” jewellery among the celebs.
Would Jumping Jack Flash dare to wear the insignia on stage, in an exclusive restaurant or strutting in a club?
Mick’s brother Christopher asked him if he would now have to call him "Sir".
“Only occasionally,” came the reply.
Jagger's colourful past includes a nine-year marriage to Bianca Moreno de Macias with whom he had a daughter, Jade, now 32, in October 1971.
His relationship with singer Marsha Hunt resulted in the birth of Karis, also in 1971, and he has two sons, James, 18, and Gabriel, six, and two daughters, Elizabeth and Georgia, 11, with Texan model Jerry Hall.
His career as a singer and songwriter has resulted in a catalogue of hit albums and singles with which even the British royal family will be familiar.
It is doubtful, however, that the Prince or the Queen will often listen to Their Satanic Majesties Request, Beggars Banquet, Sticky Fingers or Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out!
Jagger has also ventured into movies with acting and directing credits in films including Performance, Ned Kelly and Enigma.
