Hockney at Palace for royal art honour
Queen Elizabeth presents Yorkshire artist David Hockney with the Order of Merit at Buckingham Palace. Mr Hockney’s appointment follows the death in 2011 of his friend Lucian Freud, the only painter in the order – which has no more than 24 members at one time.
The honour recognises distinguished service in the armed forces, science, art, literature, or for the promotion of culture. Established in 1902 by King Edward VII, admission remains the personal gift of its Sovereign.