Photo of Sir Ian Mckellen and close friend Keith wearing Ian’s Medal the Queen just bestowed to him.

Wednesday May 25, 2008, was a bittersweet day for Sir Ian McKellen. “Investiture” at Buckingham Palace is the ceremony when the Queen bestows medals on honourees. This year, Ian was named to the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH), a very special group of about 65 people who have been recognized for their accomplishments in the arts, literature, music, science, politics, industry, or religion. It’s the third honour he’s received from the Queen. In 1979 he was named a Commander of the British Empire (CBE), and in
1991 a Knight of the British Empire (KBE).

At his first two investitures, Ian was accompanied to Buckingham Palace by his stepmother Gladys and his sister Jean, and proudly posed with them while wearing his new medals for photographers. Jean
died in 2003, and Gladys died in 2006 at the age of 100, leaving Ian as the last of his family line. Perhaps he was remembering them when he resisted calls to pose for the press, for there are no photos of
him wearing his CH medal other than an official one snapped as the Queen placed it around his neck.

Ian was accompanied to the palace on Wednesday by two long-time friends, and went to a celebratory lunch afterwards in Mayfair with a larger group of his closest friends. There everybody tried on the
medal (strictly contrary to protocol), except for Sir Ian.

CLICK HERE for a photo of the Queen and Sir Ian.