Sir Michael Eavis, the founder of Glastonbury Festival, has been knighted for his contributions to music and charity. Hosting the inaugural festival on Worthy Farm in Somerset in 1970, Eavis has overseen its growth into the largest greenfield festival globally, attracting around 200,000 attendees annually and featuring top musical acts and celebrity guests.
The 88-year-old dairy farmer was bestowed with the honour by the Princess Royal during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle. Reflecting on the recognition, Sir Michael expressed surprise and humility, pondering why he was chosen for such an accolade.
Eavis credited his daughter Emily with delivering the official letter of knighthood. His charitable ethos has been integral to the festival’s identity, with donations supporting organizations like Greenpeace, Oxfam, and WaterAid, alongside various local causes. Each year, Glastonbury aims to raise approximately £2 million, benefiting numerous charitable initiatives.
In 2023 alone, the festival donated over £3.7 million to diverse charitable causes, including homelessness organization Centrepoint, food redistributors Fareshare, several refugee charities, and mental health charity Mind. Eavis’s knighthood serves as recognition not only of his impact on the music industry but also his significant contributions to philanthropy and community welfare.
