Prof Paul Mealor, from the University of Aberdeen, became a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order – a gift given by the King to people who have served the monarchy in a personal way.
His royal compositions included the Coronation Kyrie for the King’s coronation last year and music for the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales in 2011.
Speaking after being honoured at the ceremony on Tuesday, he said it was an “incredible surprise” to get the award.
“When you are asked to do these things, you do it for the honour of doing them,” he said.
Others honoured included Prof Sir Jim McDonald, principal of the University of Strathclyde, who was appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire for services to engineering, education and energy.
Liz Smith, a former Scotland cricketer who is now a Conservative MSP, became a CBE for services to sport.
Members of the emergency services were also honoured, including Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Faroque Hussain, retired chief superintendent Carol McGuire, from South Ayrshire, and PC Stephanie Rose, from Denny, who received the King’s Police Medal.
