Sting and his wife Trudi Styler walk the Ivor Novello Awards red carpet trends now

Sting was awarded with a Fellowship from the Ivor Academy as he attended the awards ceremony with his wife Trudie Styler on Thursday afternoon.

The Police star, 71, was among some of the most iconic names in British music at the event, as he became the 23rd musician to receive the major honour for his services to the industry at Grosvenor House in London.

The singer, who became a Fellow of the Ivors Academy, the highest honour the Academy bestows, walked the red carpet with his wife Trudie.

Speaking on the carpet, the British rocker said he 'loves' the Ivors Academy and was 'delighted' to be 'granted this wonderful honour'.

He said: 'The last time I was here I got a lifetime achievement award which I thought was a bit premature...

'But the fellowship was obviously beyond lifetime and it sounds a bit like Lord Of The Rings, but I think there are more duties attached to a fellowship.

'The Ivors protect the rights of songwriters - that's one of the things they do, not just established songwriters like me, but up-and-coming songwriters.

'It is also a major export of Britain, our songwriting, so they need protecting, so I am very proud to be part of this organisation.'

He joins icons such as Sir Paul McCartney and Kate Bush in receiving the accolade. 

Sting, who performed the classic track Message In A Bottle at the event, also spoke about challenges facing the music industry.

He claimed musicians need to be ready for the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), describing it as an 'interesting time' for copyrights. 

'It is a very interesting time in terms of copyright,' he said, referencing Ed Sheeran's recent US copyright lawsuit win over his song Thinking Out Loud.

'I wouldn't be complacent about artificial machine intelligence being able to write music, but the building blocks of music are human capital, so they're ours and they don't belong to a machine.

'So we have to be vigilant of what's happening, it could get very, very strange so we need to be ready.'

He added: 'Apparently I am the first person to perform at these events so I hope I don't mess it up.'

His wife Trudie, 69, looked fabulous in a chic crochet dress and matching jacket for her husband's big day.

She added a string of statement pearls and shades as she cosied up to her husband, who looked dapper in a black suit.

Bob Geldof, 71, was also in attendance with his wife Jeanne Marine, 57, coordinating in sharp suits.

Sting admitted he was thrilled about receiving the Ivor's top accolade. He said in a statement when his name was announced: 'Of all the awards in the world of music, the Ivors are for me, the most prestigious.

'Songwriting is a skilled craft and the Ivors Academy are its guild. 

'So, I am delighted and honoured to be offered this Fellowship of the Academy, joining and acknowledging this extraordinary group of fellow songwriters, and all of those who went before us.'

Recognised as a pinnacle of creative musical achievement since they were first presented in 1956, Ivor Novello Awards have a special place in the music community as they are judged and awarded by songwriters and composers to their peers. 

Sting will be the 23rd fellow the academy has inducted in its 79-year history, joining the likes of Sir Paul McCartney, Kate Bush, Joan Armatrading, Peter Gabriel and Sir Elton John.

Harry Styles meanwhile has received an impressive three nominations in this years awards for his critically acclaimed third album Harry's House.

The singer, 29, was among the top nominees announced last month, receiving nods for Best Song, Songwriter of the Year and Most Performed Work.