French President Emmanuel Macron awarded British rock star Sir Elton John France’s highest civilian honor.
John, 72, received the Legion of Honor June 21 for his work at the Elton John AIDS Foundation during a private ceremony with Macron at the presidential Élysée Palace a day after his Paris concert.
John’s husband, David Furnish, and their two children joined him at the ceremony.
The day marked France’s Fete de la Musique, when amateur musicians are invited to the palace courtyard and the streets of Paris to play music to celebrate midsummer.
According to the Washington Post, Macron used the event to mobilize youth and world leaders to fund the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
He told the crowd that 27 million people have been treated and saved due to the fund. In 2016, the fund raised nearly $15 billion.
John supported Macron’s call to action.
His foundation, which has raised nearly $400 million for HIV prevention, education, and support, celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2018, reported Gay Star News.
John has been circling the globe on his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour after more than 50 years creating music and performing.
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