Dame Shirley Bassey has said she was more nervous receiving an honour from the King than singing for him as she picked up her latest royal award at Windsor Castle.
The Welsh singer, 87, was made a Companion of Honour in the New Year Honours list for her services to music, having become a dame in the 1999 honours list.
After receiving the award on Tuesday, Dame Shirley said it was her first time meeting Charles as King.
I forgot to curtsy, but that’s why I grabbed his hands because I forgot to curtsy
She said: “I think it’s more nerve-racking to receive the award from him than to sing in front of him. 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.”
Asked what it was like to be dubbed an icon, she 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 said the 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.”
