Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor awarded Sweden’s highest music honour at Stockholm gala

Rock royalty met real royalty this week as Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor stood shoulder to shoulder in Stockholm to receive one of the world’s most prestigious music honours: the Polar Music Prize.

The legendary guitarist and drummer, now 77 and 75 respectively, were presented with the award by the King of Sweden during a glittering gala at the Grand Hotel. They shared the global spotlight with fellow laureates—US jazz pioneer Herbie Hancock and Canadian conductor Barbara Hannigan.

Founded by ABBA’s former lyricist and manager Stig “Stikkan” Anderson, the Polar Music Prize has long stood as a beacon of excellence in music, celebrating those whose contributions have shaped the world’s cultural landscape. It was a fitting moment for May and Taylor, whose five-decade-long journey with Queen has become the stuff of rock mythology.

The evening was hosted by mezzo-soprano and journalist Boel Adler, who guided the crowd through moving speeches, emotional reflections, and well-earned applause.

Roger Taylor spoke first, his voice cracking slightly as he looked back on Queen’s early years. “When we started our band… we had ambitions, but never dreamed of the journey that was to follow,” he said. “We were fortunate in the fact that our four wildly different personalities came together to achieve a wonderful chemistry.”

He also praised the uniqueness of the Polar Prize, noting, “It’s exceptional because it recognises the whole of a musician’s career. That means a lot—it means we’ve done something right.”

Brian May echoed that sentiment with heartfelt gratitude. “In this special moment, I contemplate how that younger Brian May in 1974 would have felt if he knew we would be living this kind of dream 50 years in the future.”

The guitarist later shared a photo on Instagram of the two of them proudly accepting the honour. In a heartfelt caption, he thanked their global fans for “decades of support, love, and faith in what we do.”

Accompanied by their wives, May and Taylor looked every bit the elder statesmen of rock—stylish, composed, and visibly touched by the recognition. The ceremony wasn’t just a tribute to two men, but a celebration of Queen’s indelible impact on music across generations.

Social media lit up in support, with fans flooding May’s posts with messages of admiration and congratulations. Many described the award as “long overdue” and “richly deserved,” citing Queen’s iconic catalogue and the pair’s lasting influence on global music culture.

As they left the gala, the emotion was still etched across their faces. This wasn’t just another award—it was a moment of reflection and validation, the crowning glory in two lives spent changing the sound of the world.