Prince Charles presented Joan Collins with her damehood on Thursday 26 March. The 81-year-old star, who was accompanied by her daughter Tara Newley and husband Percy Gibson, stepped out at Buckingham Palace for the investiture, which honoured her services to acting and charity.Joan, who received an OBE in 1997, sported a cream knee-length dress and matching cape for the special occasion and accessorised her look with a similarly hued hat with black netting, cream and black court shows and statement earrings.Also being honoured by the Prince of Wales at the investiture were former world champion athlete Steve Cram, who received a CBE, and Jean Gough, the daughter of footballer Sir Stanley Matthews, who was made an MBE for her services to children and sport.
Joan Collins was made a dame by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace
On Wednesday, Dynasty star Joan tweeted her excitement about the forthcoming ceremony. "Only one more day before my investiture as Dame!" she wrote. "I'm super excited. "In January Joan spoke to HELLO! about how she and her husband Percy had celebrated hearing about the prestigious honour. "We took 14 of our closest friends to the Wolseley restaurant in London," she told the magazine. "And I have to make a public apology to the other diners there that night if our loud renditions of There's Nothing Like a Dame disturbed them!"
Dame Joan Collins with her daughter Tara Newley
Speaking shortly after it was announced she had been included on the Queen's honours list, Joan released a statement saying: "It is humbling to receive this level of recognition from my Queen and country, and I am thrilled and truly grateful. "London-born Joan rose to fame in 1952 when she landed her first major role in I Believe in You. In 1981 she joined the cast of glamorous US soap Dynasty as Blake Harrington's vengeful ex-wife Alexis.More recently Joan has had roles in TV comedy Benidorm and E!'s new fictional drama The Royals, in which she plays the Queen Mother.