LONDON (AP) — Paul McCartney paid tribute to his parents after a ceremony making him a Companion of Honor at Buckingham Palace.

The former Beatle was joined by wife Nancy Shevell at the Friday ceremony on a sparkling spring day.

He said in a written statement that he saw the award "as a huge honor for me and my family and I think of how proud my Liverpool mum and dad would have been to see this."

The 75-year-old songwriter, bass player and singer received a knighthood 21 years ago.

Bandmate Ringo Starr, the Beatles' drummer, was made a knight earlier this year.

The other two Beatles, John Lennon and George Harrison, have both died.

The Liverpool band shot to worldwide fame in the early 1960s.