Rod Stewart collected an award from Britain's Prince Charles wearing a skull and cross bones tie yesterday.
The 61-year old singer went to London's Buckingham Palace to be made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in recognition of his services to music.
However, Stewart decided against wearing a traditional suit and turned up in white trousers and a black and white striped shirt, topped off by the pirate-themed tie and a pair of black and white shoes.
A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said Stewart had not breached etiquette with his flamboyant outfit.
The spokesman said: "Recipients and guests are free to wear suits, morning dress or uniform. There was certainly nothing inappropriate about anybody's dress at the ceremony."
After the ceremony, the pop star revealed Charles chatted to him about his distinctive throaty tones and David and Victoria Beckham, who have recently moved near to the Scottish singer in Los Angeles.
Stewart said: "It was cool. It's a marvelous occasion. Britain is the only country in the world to honor the common man."
Stewart, whose hits such as 'Maggie May' and 'Sailing' were loved by the late Princess Diana, performed earlier this month at the Concert for Diana - organized by Princes William and Harry as a tribute to their mother ten years after her death.
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