Welsh singer and broadcaster Cerys Matthews accepted an OBE from the Prince of Wales, dedicating the honor to her family and the women who paved her path in music.
- Matthews received her OBE for services to music during a ceremony held by the Prince of Wales.
- The 57-year-old musician wore Black Watch tartan to honor her grandfather, who fought in the 1944 Normandy D-Day landings.
- Techno DJ Carl Cox also received an OBE during the same honors round for four decades in the British dance scene.
Matthews, a native of Cardiff, wore Scotland’s royal regimental tartan, the Black Watch, to the investiture ceremony as a tribute to her grandfather Oswald. He served in World War Two and participated in the D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy in 1944.
I’m here in their memory,
Matthews said after receiving her medal. I grew up in the 80s and 90s as a female who loved music, and I’ve been allowed, and I’ve thrived, in the music industry.
Matthews first achieved widespread recognition as a founding member of the Welsh rock band Catatonia. The group became a defining act of the ‘Cool Cymru’ cultural movement that swept the United Kingdom during the 1990s. Beyond her indie rock roots, her voice remains a fixture of British broadcasting and holiday traditions.
Millions recognize her festive duet of “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” recorded with Sir Tom Jones in 1999. Today, she maintains a consistent media presence by hosting a weekly music program every Sunday on BBC Radio 6 Music. Following the investiture, Matthews remarked that Prince William discussed Catatonia with her, adding that he was evidently a fan of the band.
Alongside Matthews, the honors list recognized pioneering figures from other sectors of the British music industry.
| Recipient | Role / Genre | Key Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| Cerys Matthews | Singer and Broadcaster | Co-founder of Catatonia (‘Cool Cymru’ 1990s) and BBC 6 Music host |
| Carl Cox | Techno DJ and Producer | Approaching 50 years in the British dance music industry |
