Honours: Awards put Sixties icons at heart of the Establishment

The sixties generation who became stalwarts of the British arts world are honoured today with knighthoods, not only for Mick Jagger but for the polymath Jonathan Miller, the director Trevor Nunn and the artist Peter Blake.

Miller first came to prominence in Beyond the Fringe and went on to a career embracing writing, television producing, and directing theatre, opera and film.

Nunn has suffered criticisms for his leadership of the National Theatre but has a long track record of success. He was the youngest artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company at 28 and has also directed musical hits such as Cats. Peter Blake, who designed the cover for the Beatles' Sergeant Pepper's album, is now a revered elder statesman of the Royal Academy.

Another knighthood goes to Max Hastings, the former editor of the London Evening Standard and war correspondent who walked into Stanley ahead of British troops at the end of the Falklands War.

For many, the most striking honour for the arts will be the Companion of Honour for Harold Pinter, the playwright, actor and director. Pinter – regarded by many as Britain's greatest living playwright – was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in February.

Among CBEs are Sebastian Faulks, the writer best known for his 1993 novel, Birdsong, and Sue MacGregor, the broadcaster who recently retired from Radio 4's Today programme after 18 years. Among the younger OBEs are the artist Steve McQueen, a winner of the Turner prize, and the crime writer Ian Rankin.

Others appointed OBE are the actor David Suchet and the fashion designer and Caroline Charles. Danny La Rue, the drag artist who has raised thousands for charity, said it was the proudest day of his life. "I'm the first female impersonator to be given an honour, as far as I know."