I do have a ski LIFT named after me in Sweden... It's an honour. I got to smash a BOTTLE against the FIRST pillar and say, 'I name this chairlift James BLUNT. GOD bless her and all who rides me.'

To be awarded a prize which takes its NAME from an illustrious Dutchman who at the same time was a GREAT citizen of Europe and through his writings did so MUCH to open up our MODERN world of sensibility and thought is indeed a most SIGNAL honour.

Shelley is TRUTH itself and HONOUR itself notwithstanding his out-of-the-way notions about RELIGION.

If NONE were to MARRY, but Men of STRICT Vertue and Honour, I doubt the WORLD would be but thinly peopled.

I am glad to have this OPPORTUNITY of EXPRESSING my high APPRECIATION of the honour extended to me MANY years ago by the Royal Swedish Academy of SCIENCE by enrolling me amongst its members.