Joan Collins, 81, is elegant in cream fishtail skirt suit as she receives damehood from Prince Charles in front of her husband and children at Buckingham Palace
She's appearing in new TV series The Royals, but on Wednesday Joan Collins had an encounter with a real life prince as she was a made a Dame in a ceremony at London's Buckingham Palace.
The 81-year-old actress was dressed in a typically fabulous outfit, as she admitted she never thought in a 'billion years' she'd been receiving a damehood.
Wearing a statement hat from Philip Treacy and a chic black and white ensemble she designed herself, the star was joined by her husband Percy Gibson and her children Tara and Sacha Newley for her big day.
Scroll down for video
Super chic: Joan Collins wowed in a black and white ensemble she designed herself and a statement hat as she received her Damehood at Buckingham Palace from the Prince of Wales on Thursday
Joan couldn't hide her smile despite the dreary London weather on Thursday, as she proudly displayed her DBE after a ceremony with the Prince of Wales.
The actress showed off her chic sense of style in an immaculate white dress and matching jacket.
With a flared hem and a wide black waistband, the elegant look showed off the icon's enviable figure.
Meeting royalty: Dame Joan was awarded her honour by the Prince of Wales in the opulent surroundings of Buckingham Palace
Me and my man: Joan's husband of 13 years Percy Gibson was by her side for her big day
Joan added a coordinating jacket over the top and a pair of black suede gloves.
She finished off her look with a pair of black and white heels, but the real crowning glory was her choice of hat from royal milliner Philip Treacy.
The chic little number featured a huge corsage on the back, with a black net veil in front.
With a slick of pink lipstick, some signature statement earrings, and pearls and diamonds nestling round her neck, the star looked perfect for her big moment.
Style queen: The 81-year-old actress looked immaculate in her corsage adorned hat
Royal affair: The star stood perfectly still as the Prince of Wales awarded her honour
Family support: Dame Joan was joined by her children Tara and Sacha Newley as she proudly displayed her DBE honour
Even a heavy downpour couldn't ruin the mood as Joan's husband Percy, looking dapper in a pinstripe suit, gallantly held an umbrella up for his wife and her daughter Tara.
Tara almost overshadowed her mum in her outfit, turning heads in a tartan jacket and red skirt, with a black hat topping things off.
The day before, Joan was excitedly telling her Twitter followers about her big day, gushing:
Don't rain on my parade! Percy gallantly held up an umbrella to shield his wife and Tara from a downpour
'Only one more day before my investiture as Dame ! I'm super excited.'
After receiving the accolade from the Prince of Wales for services to charity, Dame Joan said all she wanted to be at the start of her career was just a 'jobbing actress'.
The star is famed for her roles in a string of sexy films including The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing (1955) and Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys! (1958), and for more recent parts in the ITV comedy Benidorm and E!'s new drama The Royals.
Never in a billion years: The actress confessed she never would have expected to receive quite an honour
Mother and daughter: Tara broke out her own head turning look for her mother's big occasion, looking amazing in tartan and a statement hat to rival mum's
The 81-year-old said: 'Not in a billion years did I think I would be made a Dame, it never even crossed my mind.
'It wasn't anything I ever aspired to, I just wanted to be jobbing actress, a working actor and somebody who could still perform.
'I do my one woman show a lot, which I love doing,' she said, and added, laughing: 'But I have a lot of irons in the fire, none of which I can talk about.'
What an honour: Dame Joan received her DBE from the Prince of Wales in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace
So proud: The Dynasty star's two children looked delighted to be celebrating with their mother
Dame Joan has been a regular on stage and screen for more than half a century, but is probably best known for her portrayal of Alexis in Dynasty.
The glamorous US soap opera, with its lavish costumes complete with startling shoulder pads and big bouffant hairstyles, ran for most of the 1980s and made her a star all over again.
Speaking about Alexis, Dame Joan said: 'She was a fabulous character, even though a lot of people hated her, a lot of people loved her and she was, I thought, a well-rounded character.
'It was nine years of an extraordinary amount of work that I truly enjoyed. I enjoyed creating that character, I enjoyed working on her wardrobe.'
What a look: The actress looked flawless with a slick of bright pink lipstick and diamonds and pearls
The actress was recognised for her charity work and has used her fame to support a variety of good causes including the NSPCC, Fight for Sight, Barnardo's, Feed the Children and the Elton John Aids Foundation.
'I've been very involved in many charities from the NSPCC to (the children's charity) Brainbox to my particular favourite charity, of which I'm patron, Shooting Star Chase children's hospice, which helps families and their terminally ill children,' she explained.
'It's completely reliant on donations and they're making great strides in helping children recover from birth defects, but mostly it helps the families.'
What rain? Dame Joan wasn't even put off by the dreary London weather as she told her Twitter fans of her excitement
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3012987/Joan-Collins-smile-dresses-nines-receive-honour-Prince-Charles-Buckingham-Palace.html#ixzz3VWbvk9UJ
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
