King's Birthday Honours: Duran Duran lead singer Simon Le Bon receives MBE

Simon Le Bon, lead singer of Duran Duran, “beyond thrilled and surprised.” at being appointed an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, revealed on June 14th.

At 65, Le Bon has been honoured as a Member of the Order of the British Empire, acknowledging his contributions to music and various charitable efforts.

Originating from Hertfordshire and raised in Pinner, west London, Le Bon pursued drama studies at a university in Birmingham— where Duran Duran was formed.

Reflecting on the honour, Le Bon shared, “What an incredible and totally unexpected honour.” He considers recent years as some of Duran Duran’s ‘most important’.

"It is fitting that the honour has been awarded not just for my role in music, but also for the work I've been fortunate to be involved with outside the band for some of the causes I believe in," he said.

"To name but two of them, I hope this moment helps to raise awareness for the Blue Marine Foundation and the importance of their conservation work, and for Centrepoint."

Pop-rock band Duran Duran started in Birmingham in 1978, with Le Bon joining after an audition two years later. The band soared to fame with their self-titled debut album album in 1981 and has since secured 30 top 40 UK singles across five decades.

Le Bon has three children with his wife, model Yasmin Le Bon, whom he married in Oxford in 1985.

Duran Duran, which features keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor, received a lifetime achievement award in 2011 at the GQ Men Of The Year awards.

The group are set to headline Latitude Festival in what will be their "sole UK performance" of the summer in July.

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