Melanie Brown was glowing as she met Prince William at Buckingham Palace to collect her MBE – which was awarded to her for her services to charitable causes and vulnerable women.
The 46-year-old Spice Girl – known to most as Mel B, or Scary Spice – looked elegant in a bright red dress, designed by her fellow band mate Victoria Beckham.
Mel attended the ceremony in London on Wednesday and was accompanied by her proud mother, Andrea, who also wore a VB Design dress.
Mel was greeted by Prince William, 39, who handed her the Member of the Order of the British Empire medal – which she later proudly posed with outside the palace.
Speaking to the Press Association about her award following the ceremony, Mel said: “I never thought I would be here getting this MBE for the work I’ve been doing.
“It’s amazing to have but it’s not just for me – it’s for all those other women.
“Especially because of Covid, there’s been such an epidemic of domestic violence, that’s been completely on the rise, and you know I’ve got an army of women behind me that need help and need to be heard.
“So I’m their voice because we’ve all been through exactly the same story, so I don’t take it as it’s my award because it’s our award because we’ve survived.”
Meanwhile, 48-year-old Victoria took to Instagram stories later in the afternoon to express her joy at being able to dress Mel and Andrea for the event.
Sharing a photo of Mel posing with her mum, she wrote: “A true role model, it was such an honour to dress you and your mum.
“Mel is wearing the Fitted T-shirt Dress in Tomato Red, and iconic VB silhouette and colour.
“Her mum, Andrea wears a VB T-shirt Dress with a subtle off white check motif.”
Victoria also took the opportunity to shine a light on Mel and her charitable work.
Sharing an image of Mel with her medal, Victoria wrote: “I’m so proud of @officialmelb receiving her well-deserved MBE.
“Men’s work as a patron for @womens_aid raising awareness for domestic violence and supporting vulnerable women is so important.
“From delivering reports on the economics of abuse to 10 Downing Street to featuring in an awareness-raising music video, Mel has continued to push for change and speak up for women in need.”
In a follow up Instagram Stories post, she continued: “@womens_aid is an amazing organisation that works to provide life-saving services to build a future where domestic abuse does not exist.
“They work to educate, fundraise and provide support for survivors to build responses, resources and strength.
“By listening to women they can provide help earlier and make sure it’s effects actually last.”
To learn more about Women’s Aid, visit womensaid.org.uk
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct at 0207 29 33033.
