Rod Stewart broke down in tears upon hearing the news of his impending knighthood, according to his wife Penny Lancaster.

Stewart was knighted back in June.

"He never expected it because he thought, I've had my award, I've been granted a CBE and he was very flattered and honored by that.

But this was a shock," "He kept having to re-read the letter and literally collapsing on the sofa and going: I can't believe this, I can't believe this! He was in tears about it, really emotional.

He was very happy after the embargo of three weeks to be able to announce it on stage.

He was doing a concert the night the news came out and he was able to tell the crowd on his encore that he was about to be knighted.

The place erupted."

Referring to their son, she added, "When we found out Rod was a knight, Alistair asked 'What does that make me?'

I just said 'It just makes you the son of a knight, darling! You don't change your name.'"