Rolling Stones star Ronnie Wood has been honoured with the Freedom of the City of London in recognition of his services to music.
The musician, 73, has received the accolade which is offered by the City of London Corporation to celebrate a significant achievement within a particular industry.
In a statement the rocker said that the award has made his theatre producer wife Sally, 42, and their twin girls Gracie Jane and Alice Rose, both four, ‘very proud’.
Success: Rolling Stones star Ronnie Wood has been honoured with the Freedom of the City of London in recognition of his services to music
Ronnie’s successful music career has spanned over five decades where he became a member of the Rolling Stones from 1975 onwards, as well as being part of the bands Faces and the Jeff Beck Group.
Speaking of the recognition, Ronnie said: ‘My Lord Mayor, Lord Chamberlain, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am humbled and honoured to receive the Freedom of the City of London.
‘As a child, I saw the city from the canals and over the years I’ve seen it from many different perspectives.
Star: The musician, 73, has received the accolade which is offered by the City of London Corporation to celebrate a significant achievement within a particular industry (pictured in 1982)
‘Despite my career in music and art taking me all over the world, I am never happier than when coming home to this great city where I was born.
‘It is a lovely surprise to be recognised with this award and it has made me, Sally, and my twin girls Alice and Gracie very proud.
‘I very much hope to come and meet you in person at the Guildhall when circumstances allow.’
Icons: Ronnie formed part of the rock band the Rolling Stones along with bandmates Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Charlie Watts
Other stars who have received the honour are actress Dame Judi Dench, actress Joan Collins, singer Bob Geldof and actor Colin Firth.
Ronnie formed part of the rock band the Rolling Stones along with bandmates Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Charlie Watts.
The band’s official Twitter page tweeted him after the happy news, writing: ‘Congratulations to @ronniewood who was honoured with the Freedom of the City of London!’
Proud: The band’s official Twitter page tweeted him after the happy news, writing: ‘Congratulations to @ronniewood who was honoured with the Freedom of the City of London!’
Achievement: Other stars who have received the honour are actress Dame Judi Dench (left), actress Joan Collins (right), singer Bob Geldof and actor Colin Firth
In his personal life, Ronnie was married to Jo Wood for 26 years before their separation and subsequent divorce in 2011.
The former couple are parents to three children; Leah, 41, an accomplished singer, Jamie, 45, and Tyrone, 36.
Ronnie married actress and producer Sally, his third wife, in 2012. The couple welcomed twin daughters Gracie and Alice, four, in 2016.
Family: In a statement the rocker said that the award has made his theatre producer wife Sally, 42, (pictured together) and their twin girls Gracie Jane and Alice Rose, both four, ‘very proud’
The rocker and his new wife Sally first met just over a decade ago, when she was working at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, and Ronnie was still married to second wife Jo.
The couple wed in an intimate ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel in London in December 2011 after a six-month romance, with Rod Stewart serving as the groom’s best man.
On expanding their family, brunette beauty Sally said in an interview with The Mirror newspaper: ‘I’d love to have twins again.
‘We’d be very happy if more arrive. Twins are much easier because they play together. Twins again and then we have double everything. We are good to go. I’m 40 now but you never know.’
Exes: Ronnie was married to Jo Wood for 26 years before their separation and subsequent divorce in 2011