Arise Sir Rod! Stewart wears quirky tartan trousers to receive Knighthood from Prince William as he poses for snaps with statuesque wife Penny Lancaster and their two children

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Rod Stewart was joined by model wife Penny Lancaster and their two children on Tuesday afternoon as he received a Knighthood in recognition of his services to music and charity.

The veteran rocker, 71, was bestowed the honour by Prince William at Buckingham Palace following a decades spanning career that began in the early '60s with little known rhythm and blues group The Dimensions.

Arriving on the arm of his statuesque wife and joined by sons Alistair, 10, and five-year old Aiden, Rod was in characteristically high spirits as he prepared to accept his honour. 

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Arise! Rod Stewart knelt before Pince William while receiving his Knighthood for services to music and charity on Tuesday morning 

The singer, who was born in affluent North London suburb Highgate to a Scottish father and English mother, acknowledged his Celtic heritage by sporting a pair of colourful Tartan trousers for his meeting with Prince William.

Standing alongside her diminutive husband, Penny, 45, caught the eye in a faux-fur stole and thigh-skimming floral print dress. 

The model and presenter teamed her elegant ensemble with a delicate netted fascinator and strappy peep toe heels. 

This is for you: It was a proud moment for Rod as the second in line to the throne awarded him his medal

One is ecstatic: On his meeting with Prince William, he later said 'We talked about music and he said "It's great that you're still going" and I said: 'I have to - I've got eight children!'

Delighted: The rocker posed for photos after receiving his honour from the Duke of Cambridge

Proud moment: Rod Stewart was joined by model wife Penny Lancaster and their two children, Alistair and Aiden, at Buckingham Palace 

The rocker later said he wished his parents were there to see him receive a Knighthood, as the Duke of Cambridge congratulated him at Buckingham Palace. 

Reflecting on his meeting with the Prince, he said: 'We talked about music and he said 'It's great that you're still going' and I said: 'I have to - I've got eight children!

'He congratulated me on my long career - and I said how happy this made me. I just wish my mum and dad had been here to see it.' 

Big day: Rod looked delighted as he reflected on his meeting with the Prince shortly after receiving his Knighthood 

Quality time: The family posed for pictures in the grounds of Buckingham Palace 

All mine: The proud star showed off his medal with members of the press on Tuesday afternoon

Sir Rod will meet the Queen later at a reception at the Royal Academy of Arts - her first public engagement in London since returning to Buckingham Palace after spending the summer at her Scottish residence.

The singer disagreed with comments from Liverpool's first black footballer, Howard Gayle, that the word "Empire" should be removed from honours titles, saying: 'The Empire's not quite as big as it used to be, but it's still there, so I'm all for keeping the Empire.'  

In good company: Arriving on the arm of statuesque Penny, Rod was in characteristically high spirits as he prepared to accept his honour

Suited and booted: Alistair, ten, and five-year old Aiden were dressed for the occasion 

Great Scot: Rod, who was born in affluent North London suburb Highgate to a Scottish father and English mother, acknowledged his Celtic heritage by sporting a pair of colourful Tartan trousers for his meeting with Prince William

Looking ahead: Sir Rod will meet the Queen later at a reception at the Royal Academy of Arts - her first public engagement in London since returning to Buckingham Palace after spending the summer at her Scottish residence

Rod previously described the award as a "monumental honour".

He said: 'I've led a wonderful life and have had a tremendous career thanks to the generous support of the great British public.

'This monumental honour has topped it off and I couldn't ask for anything more. I thank Her Majesty and promise to wear it well.' 

Elsewhere British actor David Oyelowo was given an OBE for his services to drama. 

Regret: The rocker later said he wished his parents were there to see him receive a Knighthood

The Queen Of Katwe star has said receiving the honour years after being given a Prince's Trust grant to join a youth theatre production felt like a "full-circle moment".

He said: 'To be honoured by the Queen in this way having been aided by her son's charity feels like a beautiful full-circle moment.'

Others to be honoured included Vanessa Kingori, publisher of British GQ, who was given an MBE for services to the media industry, and Professor Nick Webborn, who received an OBE for services to Paralympic Sports Medicine and the British Paralympic Association.

Picture of elegance: Penny caught the eye in a faux fur stole and thigh-skimming floral dress

Top honour: Elsewhere British actor David Oyelowo was given an OBE for his services to drama

Privilege:  Others to be honoured included Vanessa Kingori, publisher of British GQ, who was given an MBE for services to the media industry

Loved ones: David was joined by his family after he received his Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Special: Professor Nick Webborn received an OBE for services to Paralympic Sports Medicine and the British Paralympic Association