Rod Stewart wears his gong for breakfast down the caff

Or perhaps after a three-year campaign to secure an honour, he was determined to make the most of finally getting one.

But when Rod Stewart dangled his CBE around his neck during a late breakfast with friends at a Californian cafe, it led to the raising of a few eyebrows.

His outfit of striped jumper, jeans and scuffed trainers was a far cry from the formal attire normally coupled with the medal.

And it left courtiers - who advise CBE holders to take the award out only on special occasions - taken aback.

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Rod Stewart dangles his CBE around his neck during a late breakfast with friends at a Californian cafe

A spokesman from the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood, based in Buckingham Palace, said tartly: "Our guidelines suggest decorations and medals should be worn on those occasions when the person responsible for the function deems it fitting. But it is his to do with what he likes."

Stewart, 62, had popped out to join friends at a cafe near his home in Beverly Hills. As he sat at a formica-topped table with wooden chairs, his CBE swung on the end of its pink ribbon.

The singer was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year Honours for his services to music.

Three years earlier he had complained bitterly about being overlooked for a gong.

"I don't know why I haven't got any honour," he said.

"I do my bit for charity. I would love to have an honour. Maybe an OBE will come along - Ordered Out of the British Empire."

When he was finally credited for his career spanning five decades he said: "Although I am living in California I am very proud to be British."

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William Spencer, of the National Archives, said: "There is no correct form for wearing your CBE and nothing to stop him from wearing it whenever he wants.

"It is usually brought out at black-tie dinners and on state occasions but there are no hard and fast rules - although it is quite odd to wear it to brunch."

The CBE began a memorable year for Stewart.

In June, he married his girlfriend of nine years in a fairy-tale Italian wedding attended by all but one of his six children.

Model Penny, 36, has said he hopes to add to the brood, which includes their 22-month-old son, Alastair.