Home / Royal Mail / Imelda Staunton becomes a Dame! The Crown actress gets the royal approval as she joins X Factor’s Rebecca Ferguson and Simon Le Bon at the Investitures at Windsor Castle

Imelda Staunton becomes a Dame! The Crown actress gets the royal approval as she joins X Factor’s Rebecca Ferguson and Simon Le Bon at the Investitures at Windsor Castle

Imelda Staunton was supported by her husband Jim Carter and daughter Bessie as she was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire at an Investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Tuesday. 

The actress, 68, who portrayed the late Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix’s hit drama The Crown, received her title for her services to drama and charity.

Imelda earned a Bafta TV and Golden Globe nomination for her fictional portrayal of Charles’ mother in seasons five and six of the series.

She joined a number of stars, including Simon Le Bon and X Factor contestant Rebecca Ferguson in receiving a royal honour from Prince William. 

As well as her role in The Crown, Imelda is widely known for playing the evil Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter films, with her other film credits also including Downton Abbey, Paddington and Nanny McPhee. 

Imelda Staunton was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire at an Investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Tuesday

Simon Le Bon

Rebecca Ferguson

She joined a number of stars, including Simon Le Bon and X Factor contestant Rebecca Ferguson in receiving a royal honour from Prince William

Imelda was supported by her husband Jim Carter and daughter Bessie

Imelda was supported by her husband Jim Carter and daughter Bessie

The actress, 68, who portrayed the late Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix 's hit drama The Crown , received her title for her services to drama and charity

The actress, 68, who portrayed the late Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix ‘s hit drama The Crown , received her title for her services to drama and charity

Upon receiving her damehood in the King’s Birthday Honours in June, Dame Imelda said: ‘I feel genuinely humbled to be recognised on the same level as the amazing actresses, all the great Dames, who have led the way for so many of us.

‘It is their talent, dedication, wit and energy that have paved the way for us all and have set the standards to which we all aspire.’

She added she was ‘proud’ to play her part in the industry as ‘theatre, film and television are essential to our wellbeing, stand at the heart of our culture and are admired throughout the world’.

Dame Imelda’s charity work has included being an ambassador for national homelessness charity Crisis and supporting the international disaster relief charity ShelterBox.

Duran Duran frontman Simon, 66, was made an MBE for his services to music and charity.

The musician dropped out of university to perform with the group, who became synonymous with the New Romantic scene, after a successful audition in the 1980s.

Duran Duran, whose hit songs include Rio and Hungry Like The Wolf, had a number one album in the UK charts with Seven And The Ragged Tiger in 1983 and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.

Simon said he was ‘truly beyond thrilled and surprised’ in his initial reaction to the royal honour.

Upon receiving her damehood in the King's Birthday Honours in June, Dame Imelda said: 'I feel genuinely humbled to be recognised on the same level as the amazing actresses'

Upon receiving her damehood in the King’s Birthday Honours in June, Dame Imelda said: ‘I feel genuinely humbled to be recognised on the same level as the amazing actresses’

Duran Duran frontman Simon, 66, was made an MBE for his services to music and charity. Simon said he was 'truly beyond thrilled and surprised' to receive the honour

Duran Duran frontman Simon, 66, was made an MBE for his services to music and charity. Simon said he was ‘truly beyond thrilled and surprised’ to receive the honour

The singer proudly showed off his medal

The singer proudly showed off his medal 

He said: ‘These last few years have been some of the most important in Duran Duran’s career, and this is a bright but humbling highlight as our journey continues.

‘It is fitting that the honour has been awarded not just for my role in music, but also for the work I’ve been fortunate to be involved with outside the band for some of the causes I believe in.’

Simon has worked as an ambassador for the Blue Marine Foundation, which works to provide awareness on ways people can come together to save the oceans, and for the Tall Ships Youth Trust which runs seafaring trips for disadvantaged young people across the UK.

Rebecca and ex-footballer Graeme Souness were also recognised at the investiture ceremony. 

The singer finished runner-up on The X Factor in 2010 behind winner Matt Cardle and ahead of One Direction.

Rebecca was made an MBE for her services to the music industry having turned towards activism in recent years, including campaigning for the introduction of the new regulatory body for the sector that ensures artist welfare.

The performer had a meeting with then-culture secretary Oliver Dowden in 2021 to discuss discrimination in the music industry, and called on media watchdog Ofcom to conduct an investigation into reality TV shows last year.

Rebecca was made an MBE for her services to the music industry having turned towards activism in recent years

Rebecca was made an MBE for her services to the music industry having turned towards activism in recent years

M People's Heather Small was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle. The honour recognised her voluntary and charitable services

M People’s Heather Small was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle. The honour recognised her voluntary and charitable services

The singer, who  finished runner-up on The X Factor in 2010 behind winner Matt Cardle and ahead of One Direction, shook hands with Prince William

The singer, who  finished runner-up on The X Factor in 2010 behind winner Matt Cardle and ahead of One Direction, shook hands with Prince William

The pair chatted

The pair chatted 

Heather shook Prince William's hand as she was awarded the honour

Heather shook Prince William’s hand as she was awarded the honour

The two shared a laugh

The two shared a laugh

Heather proudly showed off her honour outside Windsor Castle

Heather proudly showed off her honour outside Windsor Castle 

Original Boney-M lead singer Liz Mitchell (Elizabeth Pemberton-Mitchell) was awarded an MBE

Original Boney-M lead singer Liz Mitchell (Elizabeth Pemberton-Mitchell) was awarded an MBE

Ex-footballer Graeme Souness, e, both a player and manager at Rangers and Liverpool, was made a CBE for his services to football and charity (pictured with his wife Karen)

Ex-footballer Graeme Souness, e, both a player and manager at Rangers and Liverpool, was made a CBE for his services to football and charity (pictured with his wife Karen) 

Graeme, both a player and manager at Rangers and Liverpool, was made a CBE for his services to football and charity.

The Scot represented his country at three World Cups and won five league titles and three European Cups with the Reds before later spending time as a pundit.

He is the vice president of Debra UK which raises awareness of epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a group of genetic skin conditions that cause the skin to blister and tear at the slightest touch.

Graeme helped to raise £1.5 million for the charity when he joined a swimming challenge across the English Channel last year.

M People’s Heather Small was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle. The honour recognised her voluntary and charitable services.

 Original Boney-M lead singer Liz Mitchell (Elizabeth Pemberton-Mitchell) was awarded an MBE. 


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