Kate Bush received a CBE for services to music from the Queen today (April 10) at a ceremony at Windsor Castle.

The singer made a rare public appearance to accept the accolade. Although she declined to speak to journalists gathered at the castle for the ceremony, she did issue the following statement, the BBC reports.

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“I feel incredibly thrilled to receive this honour which I share with my family, friends and fellow musicians and everybody who has been such an important part of it all. Now I’ve got something special to put on top of the Christmas tree.”

Kate Bush has released 10 studio albums over a 40-year career. Her last two albums – ’50 Words For Snow’ and ‘Director’s Cut’ (featuring reworkings of old songs) – were released in 2011.