Forty-three years after leading the Knights Who Say NI!, Monty Python stalwart Michael Palin is going to receive an honest-to-goodness real knighthood. Via the official Monty Python website, he is quoted as saying he would “just have a quiet celebration, just myself and a glass of Horlicks and then go to bed.” We’d suggest a mug rather than a glass, since Horlicks is usually served very hot, but that Sir Palin likes to do things eccentrically.

Palin’s induction doesn’t necessarily mean the rest of the Pythons are likely to follow, as the knighthood is being granted not for contributions to irreverent comedy, but rather “for services to travel, culture and geography,” as he has hosted travel shows for some years now. We suspect that’s a technicality and the Queen secretly likes the Pythons’ humor, but who can say for sure?

Also being knighted: Philip Pullman, best known for the His Dark Materials trilogy of fantasy novels that are scheduled to be adapted by the BBC. Given that his books have a decidedly and definitely anti-religion point of view, and the Queen is the head of the church, we sense a slightly rebellious theme in this year’s choices. Actress and model Twiggy will receive Damehood, the female equivalent of knighthood, for her work in the arts, fashion, and charity. Other familiar names receiving lesser honors include The Handmaid’s Tale author Margaret Atwood (Companion of Honor), and actresses Thandie Newton (OBE) and Sophie Okonedo (CBE).

You can see the full list of honorees here.

Image: Sony Picture Home Entertainment