Quo rock the palace as they pick up OBEs

The legendary musicians, who have been entertaining crowds for more than 40 years, appeared humbled by the experience of receiving the honour from the monarch at a Buckingham Palace investiture ceremony yesterday.

Rossi, looking smart in a suit, said as his music partner nodded in agreement: "This is the most exceptional moment of our careers. There's no two ways about it.

"Live Aid was important and there was a great euphoric feeling on the day, but nothing can make you forget this. It's part of the Establishment, which is everything that's been around us since we were little and it's something to aspire to. Whether you're a royalist or not, you cannot take away what the Queen and the Royal Family do for us." Parfitt said: "It's wonderful that we have been recognised for what we've done. We never would have expected this when we started out 40-odd years ago.

"Never in a million years do you dream you're going to become Officers of the British Empire and meet the Queen. We're incredibly honoured.

"When you hear of our troops dying in Afghanistan, you can look at yourself and think 'do I deserve this?', but you have been chosen for this and should accept it with honour."

Status Quo have become one of the UK's best-loved rock bands since releasing their first hit single, Pictures Of Matchstick Men, in 1968.

Singer-guitarist Parfitt, 61, and lead singer Rossi, 60, have gone on to chalk up 22 British top ten singles, including Down Down in 1974, Rockin' All Over The World in 1977 and Whatever You Want in 1979.

The group has logged an accumulated total of nearly eight years in the UK singles chart as well as scoring 32 hit albums, more than any other band apart from the Rolling Stones.

The band's status as a national treasure was confirmed in 2005 when they appeared on Coronation Street and were chosen as a specialist subject on BBC quiz show Mastermind.