QUEBEC — Iconic entertainer Charles Aznavour called the harmony of Canada's French and English cultures “impressive” on Saturday, following his appointment as an honorary officer of the Order of Canada.

Gov. Gen. Michäelle Jean bestowed the accolade upon the French citizen at her official residence inside the fortified walls of Quebec City's Citadelle.

His eyes glistening after the ceremony, the famed singer, composer and actor summed up his investment to the Order in one word: “love.”

“I am very touched,” Aznavour said minutes after Jean hung the medal representing Canada's highest civilian honour around his neck. “As performers, we know how to carry ourselves, but I had a hard time not mumbling a little bit.”

The 84-year-old, described by many as the Frank Sinatra of France, said he never expected to receive such recognition from Canada.

He said Canada has come a long way in narrowing its linguistic divide and has become a solid entity.

“It is impressive because it is a big country, a great country and a country that moves forward with a strong soul,” said Aznavour, whose friend Edith Piaf first introduced him to North America in the 1940s.

“Before, there was a separation between English and French. When I was [first] here I wanted to learn English. I had friends in the trade who said, ‘Not English, we're not going to learn English.'

“I told them, ‘One day you're going to regret it because it's wonderful to have a double culture.”'

Over his 60-year career, Aznavour has appeared in more than 60 movies, composed some 1,000 songs and sold more than 100 million records.

His songs have been covered by the likes of Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Ray Charles and Bob Dylan.

Hip-hop artist Dr. Dre's 2001 hit “What's The Difference?” used some of the music from Aznavour's 1966 song “Parce que tu crois.”

In her speech, Jean said tunes of the “greatest international ambassador of French music” have captured the hearts of Canadians. “I want to tell you, this investment into the Order of Canada, accept it like a declaration of love,” Jean said in the French-only address.

“For this is a love story that binds you to your fans on this side of the Atlantic.”

Jean said in his many visits to Canada, Aznavour has helped forge cultural ties between French-speaking communities across the country and around the world.

Legendary Quebec singer Robert Charlebois, who himself became a member of the Order of Canada in 1999, said Aznavour had a great influence on his career.

Charlebois described Aznavour as the “most Québécois” of all French singers.

“For any singer in the world, he's the pope,” Charlebois said before the ceremony.

“He's quite a poet and he's worldwide, so I'm very proud for him that he receives the [Order of Canada] medal today.”

Aznavour will perform Sunday on the Plains of Abraham as part of Quebec City's 400th birthday celebrations.

By joining the ranks, Aznavour becomes the 14th honorary member of the Order of Canada since it was established in 1967.

He joins a list of non-Canadian members that includes former South African prime minister and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela (1998) and former Czech president and writer Vaclav Havel (2003).

Aznavour's ties to Canada have not always been harmonious. In 1996, he was booed and heckled at a Montreal show when he sang some of his songs in English.

He received a similar reception during an Ottawa performance a few days later.

At the time, the concert promoter said then-prime minister Jean Chrétien went backstage to “apologize on behalf of the Canadian people.”

But after his appointment Saturday, a smiling Aznavour appeared to show no hard feelings towards Canadians.

“It's great at my age, it's the right moment to receive it, [especially] coming from a country I love like this one,” he said.