Patricia Routledge was made a Dame at a ceremony held at Buckingham Palace last Friday.

The 88-year old actress, who is best known for portraying Hyacinth Bucket on BBC show Keeping Up Appearances, was recognised for her services to theatre and charity.

Routledge said Prince Charles said he was “pleased” that she was receiving the honour and that “at last somebody’s noticed”.

Commenting on the Damehood Routledge said: “I’m still in a state of surprise and very thrilled, and very thrilled that the Prince of Wales is here today because he just loves actors and he’s our much-appreciated patron of the Actors’ Benevolent Fund.”

Previous awards for Routledge include a Tony for her role as Alice Challice in Darling of the Day, back in 1968, and an Olivier Award in Leonard Bernstein’s operetta Candide in 1988.

Olympic hockey player Sam Quek, who won Gold at the Rio Olympics was also made an MBE at the ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Cyclist Helen Scott, and canoeists Emma Wiggs and Anne Usher were also recipients of MBE’s, while Oscar-winner Jenny Beavan, who designed the costumes for 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road, received an OBE.

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