Actress Patricia Routledge was among the recipients of honours on Friday at Buckingham Palace where she was awarded a Damehood by Prince Charles.
Dame Patricia, who is who is best known for playing social climbing snob, Hyacinth Bucket, in Keeping Up Appearances, was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire in The Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.
The Prince of Wales was presenting the investiture and was said to be “pleased” that the 88-year-old actress was finally being recognised for her services to theatre and charity.
Speaking to the Press Association, Dame Patricia 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 is our much-appreciated patron of the Actors’ Benevolent Fund.
“He said, ‘at last somebody’s noticed’. He said how pleased he was, and a little more.”
Dame Patricia also said that she would be keeping her medal safely hidden. However, she will show it off at dinner parties.
When she found out that she was to be made a Dame last year, she said she was “very surprised indeed but very pleased that the honour pertains to theatre.”
The 88-year-old has previously been appointed an OBE in 1993 and a CBE in 2004.
Also being presented with an honour at Buckingham Palace today was double Oscar-winning costume designer, Jenny Beavan, who has been awarded an OBE.
She said: “This was so unexpected. In a way, what I do is quite light.
“It’s hard work and all that, but I suppose I’ve been at it for such a long time.
“But I was terribly nervous this morning. It’s a real honour. I was frightfully pleased.”
Ms Beaven added that she was particularly thrilled Prince Charles knew who she was.”He seemed to know who I was and we had met before, at the Oscars, and he did seem to like the films I do,”
“He seemed to know who I was and we had met before, at the Oscars, and he did seem to like the films I do,” she said.
A Candlelight Supper or perhaps a Riparian Picnic is called for!
Absolutely. But will the Blue Periwinkle suffice? It is Royalty, afterall.
I believe that this would call for the Double-glazed Avignon service.
Wonder if the naughty Major will attend?
Wonder if the naughty Major will attend?
A title well deserved by a great actress who made us laugh as well think about we were are and who we are not .
The Prince of Wales was at the Oscars!? Somehow I doubt that …
Perhaps the BAFTAs?
Sending out congratulations from the center on the United States in Kansas! We have loved your work for years!
Heavens, but Mrs Bucket (bouquet) would be up and down the street with the news. Poor Elizabeth and Emmett and the Vicar and the Postman and the Barclay-Finches across the way and all the neighbors who’d be simply devastated if she left and the lady church cleaners would never hear the end of it. And heaven help our Daisy and our Rose and Daddy. Poor Onslow would be “chuff me” all over his council flat.
Congratulations to this accomplished performer and singer so richly deserving of this notice.
In addition to her fame in the UK, she’s instantly recognized by millions here in the US.
I have been particularly taken by her somber but moving work in Alan Bennett’s one-woman monologues. She is simply superb. Whether it’s reciting the Resurrection Gospel of St John or singing “Climb Every Mountain”, her art is awesome. It is ironic, one member of the “Keeping Up Appearances” cast once pointed out, that Emmett would actually be VERY fortunate to have her professionally trained voice in his Amateur Operative Society. But then what would happen to Sheridan were his mummy not perpetually available on his trips away from “university” without his embroidery champion roommate Tarquin?
Well done, Lady Patricia. Many more long years of joy and happiness to Your Ladyship
Hear hear
bravo hyacinth………
Hyacinth finally makes it to Buckingham Palace. So deserved Mrs. Bucket -pronounced Bouquet.
I think this calls for a glass of the Dowager Lady Ursula’s Homemade Gooseberry Wine. (Geeseberry Woon)