McCartney given French Legion d'Honneur

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PARIS, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- French President Francois Hollande joked that he preferred The Beatles to the Rolling Stones when he presented Paul McCartney with the Legion d'Honneur.

McCartney received France's highest public distinction during a private ceremony before family and friends Saturday at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Britain's The Telegraph reported.

Hollande praised McCartney's contributions to music and also joked he preferred McCartney to John Lennon when he was younger.

"It is such an honour to be awarded this," McCartney said during the ceremony.

The Legion d'Honneur is usually given to French nationals who have served in military or civil life. The honor has three grades: Chevalier, Officer and Commander. McCartney was made an Officer of the Legion d'Honneur.

Other British recipients of the honor are author J.K. Rowling, actor Laurence Olivier and artist Ronald Searle.