Not that I altogether agree with the honours system, of course, but why did this take so long? Live Aid co-founder (got that, 'co-founder'?) Midge Ure collected his OBE from the Queen yesterday at the palace, accompanied by his wife Sheridan and his four daughters. The award was given for both his music and his charity work for Live Aid and also The Princes Trust. Ure said: "It's fantastic. It's wonderful. I've had many awards in my time but nothing so official, so prestigious."
Ure wore a plain black kilt with matching shirt, jacket, socks and a silver tie, and the Queen apparently commented on his unusual apparel. He said: "The Queen said something about it. I can't remember what but I think it was a gracious comment rather than 'What on earth are you wearing?'"
He continued: "The Queen said: 'You've been very busy in the summer,' obviously talking about Live 8. She asked if it was ever going to quieten down. I said the record would continue to generate income long after Bob and I are gone."