Coronation Street legend Sally Dynevor beamed with pride as she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire by Princess Anne in Windsor on Wednesday.
The 58-year-old soap star took a break from Dancing on Ice rehearsals and commitments on the Cobbles to accept her MBE medal at an extravagant ceremony.
Sally received the prestigious honour in recognition of her services to drama after playing Sally Webster on the long-running ITV soap since 1986.
The actress was appointed an MBE as part of Her Majesty The Queen’s New Year’s Honours – with her nomination announced at the end of 2020, but has only now been able to receive the honour in person.
Sally looked elegant at the ceremony – presider over by 71-year-old Anne, Princess Royal – dressed in a black, tailored suit and with a small fascinator on her head.
She smiled as she stood in front of Princess Anne, and flashed a winning smile as she posed with her medal outside Windsor Castle following the ceremony.
The star attended the event accompanied by screenwriter husband Tim Dynevor – with whom she shared three children including Bridgerton actress Phoebe.
Speaking about her appointment as an MBE, Sally said back in December 2020: “I am humbled, grateful and very proud to have received this honour. I am still in shock.
"I didn't believe it was real when I first found out earlier this month that I was to be given an MBE. Keeping it a secret has been so difficult.”
She added: "During the 60th anniversary of Coronation Street I was reminded daily of my time on the show - the young girl in those scenes 35 years ago could only have dreamed of the incredible things that were going to happen in the coming years.”
Emergency service workers and teachers who worked tirelessly throughout the Covid-19 pandemic were also honoured at the event on Wednesday.
Away from royal ceremonies, Sally has been getting to grips with her skates as a contestant on ITV’s winter sport competition Dancing On Ice.
She is partnered with professional skater Matt Evers on the competition and has previously explained that she hopes TV fans will see a new side to her after being recognised as her soap alter-ego for decades.
She told Fabulous: “After lockdown and everything that happened, I’ve felt that I just have to get on and do things and live the dreams that I want to live without being fearful any more.
“I think lockdown has made us all realise that. Life just changed so much, so I have to take every wonderful opportunity that comes my way, because it might never come my way again.”
Sally and Matt have managed to skate through to this weekend’s episode – which may see Amanda Holden filling in for Phil Schofield who has tested positive for Covid.
