Plant Officially Outranks Page

During today’s ceremony in London, Plant joked about how the award will not affect his relationship with Page, and he doesn’t expect any royal skirmishes over land, fortunes or serfs.

“If we can remember each other’s phone number at this time in life it’s a miracle,” Plant said. “We’re still good friends, we both enjoy a rather dark sense of humor that comes, I think, from being from rather the wrong side of the tracks for all those wild years.”

Plant joins an elite group of artists including Eric Clapton and Ray Davies who have been awarded CBEs. Page’s OBE comrades include Joe Cocker, Cliff Richard and Tom Jones.

According to London’s Daily Mail, Plant, who wore a simple blue suit and had his hair tied back in a ponytail, said the experience was “humbling.” He also said the honor does not mean he’s a member of the establishment.

“The diversity of people who have moved through here this morning prove there is no real establishment here,” Plant said. “I owe everything to the musicians I work with.

“From the UK to Africa to Tennessee, it is their brilliance that I bounce off. Alone I’m nothing.”

Click here for the complete Daily Mail article.