In a prestigious ceremony held at the Élysée Palace on Thursday evening, Stella McCartney was officially knighted into the Legion of Honor by French President Emmanuel Macron. The designer was celebrated not only for her transformative impact on the fashion industry but also for her unwavering commitment to environmental conservation and animal rights.

During the presentation, Macron pinned the iconic red ribbon and medallion to McCartney’s navy, faux fur-trimmed ensemble, highlighting the deep “shared values” between the designer and France.

He noted the mutual affection between the nation and the creator, warmly stating, “You love France and our country loves you back.”

The intimate event was a family affair, with McCartney supported by her father, Sir Paul McCartney, her husband Alasdhair Willis, her siblings Mary and James, and her two youngest children.

The star-studded audience also included close friends such as Oprah Winfrey, Naomi Watts, and Bianca Jagger. By receiving this distinction—an order of merit founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802—McCartney joins the ranks of the most highly honored individuals in French history, recognized for her pioneer spirit in sustainable luxury and her lifelong dedication to her craft and family.

Stella who received the honor the day after her fall 2026 show in Paris, said France:

“Has shaped so much of my life and career. This city has always welcomed and supported me, but also challenged and inspired me. This recognition is not just for me, but for my family, my team, the innovators and the partners who have worked tirelessly and passionately to prove that fashion can be both desirable and responsible. It’s also recognition that luxury fashion houses can think about fashion in a conscious, passionate way without having to compromise on beauty – we are proof. There is still so much to do, but I am still hopeful – and still determined – that together we can reshape our industry to serve nature, all living creatures and future generations.”

Stella’s professional journey is deeply rooted in Paris, beginning with an early internship at Christian Lacroix and evolving into a defining four-year tenure as the creative lead for Chloé. In 2001, she transitioned from that role to launch her own independent label, which has since become a staple of the Paris Fashion Week schedule.

Throughout her career, she has cultivated strategic partnerships with luxury giants Kering and LVMH.

Today, she continues to play a pivotal role within the industry as LVMH’s Global Sustainability Ambassador, where she provides expert guidance to senior executives on ecological initiatives and green strategy.

The reception at the Élysée Palace drew an elite crowd, including French First Lady Brigitte Macron, LVMH executives Antoine and Delphine Arnault, and model Natalia Vodianova. Also in attendance to support the designer were her new CEO, Tom Mendenhall, and high-profile friends like Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Bianca Jagger, and Naomi Watts. Despite the gravity of the occasion, McCartney displayed a playful, nervous energy before the formalities began; she spent the pre-ceremony moments joking with guests, playing host by offering appetizers, and even attempting to lead the room in a rendition of “All You Need Is Love“—a cheeky nod to the song’s opening bars of the French national anthem.

After the ceremony, Stella said she was happy her father and her siblings could be there.

“I looked over to dad, and I suddenly realized that my husband and children have seen me get my other honors in England, but my father never managed to. It was also incredible to have it in a private roomand have (the president) make a lengthy speech,” she said.

In 2022 McCartney was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, or CBE. She received her OBE, or Order of the British Empire award, from the queen in 2013.“The queen didn’t talk.

She just said: ‘Nice to meet you,’ and then you kind of back off [backward] and hope you don’t fall over. It’s incredibly different,” she remarked.