Dame Shirley Bassey was made a Companion of Honour by King Charles at Windsor Castle – but the legendary performer admitted she made a royal error at the ceremony held today. The 87 year old admittedly grabbed the monarch’s hand when being presented her award but joked she “forgot to curtsy”.
The Welsh singer said she was more nervous about receiving an honour from Charles than performing for the royal.
Dame Shirley was made a Companion of Honour in the New Year Honours list for her services to music. This was the first time the singer, who sang in three James Bond films, has met Charles as King.
“I think it’s more nerve-racking to receive the award from him than to sing in front of him,” she said.
“I mean, it’s new, different, whereas singing I’ve been doing since I was a child.
“I forgot to curtsy, but that’s why I grabbed his hands because I forgot to curtsy. Instinctive”
She said the King had complimented the singer on her outfit, a sparkly black and white Isabell Kristensen dress.
The legendary star showcased an ageless display as she elongated her legs with a pair of short heels and wore her dark tresses in a short hairstyle.
She accentuated her look with a pink lip, smokey eye and a light blush to her cheekbones.
“I asked him how he was, and he said he was fine and said: ‘You look wonderful,’” she said.
“He wished me all the best and then I grabbed him – I know I shouldn’t have done that. But I grabbed both his hands and said: ‘I wish you well.’”
Asked what it was like to be dubbed an “icon”, Dame Shirley said: “It can be very nice, and it can be very isolating and a nuisance – especially if you’re in a restaurant and people come and sit at your table uninvited.”
She revealed her most glamorous moment of her life was the first time she sang for the late Queen at the Royal Variety Performance.
“I’ve had 70 years of glamorous moments,” she said.
“I think the first time I sang for the Queen at the Royal Variety – my very first show. And then I did quite a few after and was very blase about it.”
The Cardiff-born singer previously said she was “humbled” and “full of emotion” when it was revealed she would receive the title in the New Year Honours list.
She was joined at the ceremony with her daughter Sharon, grandson Sebastian and his daughter Sofia.