Tim Peake and Rod Stewart acclaimed on Queen's honours list

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh leave St Paul's Cathedral. Picture: PA

British astronaut Tim Peake also appears on the 1,149-strong list of those who have been acclaimed, along with TV duo Ant and Dec and wartime forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn.

A weekend of events is being staged across the country to mark the Queen’s big day. Later today spectators will see the traditional pomp and military splendour of Trooping the Colour, also known as the Queen’s Birthday Parade.

Tomorrow a street party for 10,000 revellers will be staged in The Mall in London with other smaller events across the country. It follows a special service at St Paul’s Cathedral yesterday to mark the monarch’s milestone which included senior members of the Royal Family, including the Duke of Edinburgh – who celebrated his 95th birthday today – and the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

British astronaut Tim Peake, who has been awarded an Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the Queen's Birthday Honours for services to space research and scientific education. Picture: PA

Also present were the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. Prime Minister David Cameron read from the New Testament. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was among those present.

Stewart, famous for songs such as Maggie May and Sailing, becomes Sir Rod having been awarded a knighthood.

The 71-year old was born in London, to an English mother and a Scottish father. A football fanatic, he is famous follower of the Scotland national team and of Celtic.

Having sold millions of albums over his lengthy career the performer has been recognised for his services to music and charity.

Lord Smith of Kelvin. Picture: Alex Hewitt

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’.”

Lord Smith of Kelvin, the man tasked by the Prime Minister with chairing the cross-party commission on Scottish devolution in the wake of the 2014 independence referendum, will be honoured for his public service. He will be made a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour, which experts at Debrett’s say is “conferred on persons for having done conspicuous national service”.

The Smith Commission produced a package of recommendations which have led to new tax and welfare powers being devolved to Holyrood in the latest Scotland Act. Lord Smith also had a key role in delivering the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after being appointed chairman of the event’s organising committee.

Rod Stewart was also honoured. Picture: Getty

Dunblane tennis ace Jamie Murray also receives an OBE after a year which saw him win the men’s doubles title at the Australian Open and also team up with younger brother Andy to help the British tennis team win the Davis Cup for the first time in almost eight decades. The award brings him level with his brother, who won the same honour in 2013. Another tennis star being recognised this year is Glasgow-born Leon Smith, captain of the successful Davis Cup team, who also receives an OBE.

Smith last night said:“It’s humbling. It’s something that, if I turn back the clock, many years ago you’d think how’s that even close to being possible? A very average tennis player who started out on a coaching journey and then suddenly we’re doing something as a team that gripped British fans. It’s a huge privilege, it really is.”

Meanwhile, Murray, said: “I don’t think Andy knows. I told my mum and dad today. I’m sure my mum and dad are both really proud of us.”

Professor Sue Black, one of the world’s leading forensic experts, who has helped secure a string of high-profile convictions, gets a Damehood.

The Dundee University expert in forensic anthropology helped convict one of  Britain’s worst paedophiles, Richard Huckle, who was given  23 life sentences earlier this week for abusing up to 200 children.

Prof Black said she was “more than a little embarrassed” and “deeply honoured” by the recognition.

James Watt and Martin Dickie, who set up BrewDog in 2007 when they were 24 in response to the ‘’stuffy ales’’ which dominated the UK drinks market, both get MBEs after sales topped £45 million last year in 50 countries.

Mr Watt said: “It’s amazing to have been awarded something so prestigious. It’s incredible to have the craft beer industry recognised at this level.”

Former Holyrood MSP Alex Fergusson has been knighted for services to politics, the Scottish Parliamentary Process and public life in Scotland.

The ex-Tory MSPwho stood down at the last election was Presiding Officer between 2007-11 before returning to the Holyrood backbenches.

A hill farmer by trade, he was first elected for the South of Scotland region in 1999 and later became MSP for the Galloway and Upper Nithsdale constituency, re-drawn in 2011 as Galloway and West Dumfries.