Bee Gees died with Mo, say brothers

Barry and Robin Gibb, who went to Buckingham Palace to be honoured today, said the Bee Gees died with their brother Maurice.

During an emotional ceremony, Prince Charles made the brothers Commanders of the Order of the British Empire for their services to music.

Maurice ' s son Adam received the award on his late father's behalf. Barry Gibb, 58, the eldest of the singing and songwriting brothers, said: "It's bitter-sweet. It would have been wonderful for all three of us to be here. We have mixed feelings. Knowing Mo, this would have been right up his alley." He added: "Maurice would have still had his hat on," a reference to his brother's beloved black trilby, which he wore constantly.

Barry Gibb said the Bee Gees, who have sold 110 million albums, are now a thing of the past. "We are not the Bee Gees now, in respect for Mo," he said.

"Maybe the time's just right for a bit of free flight. Maybe

at some point we will do something together."

Maurice died in a Miami hospital at the age of 53 last year. He had suffered a heart attack during emergency surgery for an intestinal blockage.

Adam Gibb, a 28-year-old film student, looked close to tears after collecting his father's CBE. "My mother was supposed to do it, but she wouldn't have been able to," he said. Maurice's widow Yvonne watched from the audience instead. Asked about the ceremony, she said: "It's very emotional. I was very proud of my son."

Barry Gibb, who described the day as "the greatest of my life", said he had joked with the Prince as the award was placed around his neck. "I said don't mess my hair up."

The brothers were awarded their honours three years ago but work commitments led to delays in collecting them.