Ain't nothing like a dame! Barbara Windsor goes from the Queen Vic to Buckingham Palace as she's honoured by Her Majesty (who wore a very familiar green dress)
When it comes to showbiz royalty, they don't come much bigger than Barbara Windsor.
And the soap legend came face-to-face with the real Queen as she was made a dame by Her Majesty on Tuesday.
The 78-year-old Londoner, who boasts over 60 years in the industry, arrived at Buckingham Palace to be honoured by Elizabeth II.
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Queen of soaps: Barbara Windsor was honoured with a damehood at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday
Looking resplendent in a purple lace dress and matching fascinator, the bubbly blonde entertainer was ecstatic as she bowed before the royal at her investiture.
Talking about receiving her damehood from the monarch, Barbara joked that it was lovely to meet 'another small lady'.
She added she was impressed by the Queen's 'gorgeous skin' and quipped: 'I wonder what she uses.'
And it seems Her Majesty paid her own kind of homage to the queen of soaps - she appeared to be wearing a very similar green ensemble she had sported for a visit to the set of EastEnders in 2001.
When Babs met Beth: The 78-year-old Londoner, who boasts over 60 years in the industry, was personally honoured by Elizabeth II
Iconic: Barbara chatted with the Queen during her investiture at the Palace
Ain't nothing like a dame: Talking about receiving her damehood from the monarch, Barbara joked afterwards that it was lovely to meet 'another small lady'
Purple reign: Looking resplendent in a purple lace dress and matching fascinator, the bubbly blonde entertainer was ecstatic throughout her time with the monarch
The royal was shown around Albert Square on a special tour of the show's iconic filming lot by Barbara and her on-screen son, Steve McFadden 15 years ago.
Barbara made her return to the set on Monday as she prepares to reprise her role as Mitchell matriarch Peggy and was given her own regal welcome by the cast and crew.
She explained: 'They all - all of them - had crowns on. All the crew, everybody. Because I was coming here.
'I said "Oh shut up, you daft lot". It was just so wonderful, because I am the first dame they've ever had.
Queen at the Vic: Barbara was the one who showed the Queen around the set of EastEnders in 2001
Flashback: It seems Her Majesty paid her own kind of homage to the queen of soaps - she appeared to be wearing a very similar green ensemble to the one she wore on Tuesday
Proud: Dame Barbara was joined by her husband Scott Mitchell (above)
Back to work: The star revealed she had been ordered back to work the early by EastEnders bosses the day before as she prepares to reprise her role as matriarch Peggy Mitchell one last time
Another leading man: The couple were also joined by Dame Barbara's longtime agent Barry Burnett at the ceremony
Marking the occassion: She celebrated her investiture with family and friends at a special lunch at Fortnum & Mason in central London
Old pals: The actress was joined by former co-star Pam St. Clement, who played Pat Butcher on EastEnders, and entertainer Christopher Biggins
Legends: Barbara was also joined by soap stalwart June Brown, who plays the show's beloved Dot Cotton
Let's have a look: June seemed hugely interested in her pal's award
Let's celebrate: Barbara was joined by some of close pals, including (L-R) Laurence Alexander, Barry Burnett, Marsha Alexander, June Brown, Pam St. Clement, Jane Moore, Scott Mitchell, Christopher Biggins, Gary Farrow and Ewan Venters
'My scenes were with June Brown - Dot Cotton - who is one of my dearest friends and I absolutely adore her.
'It was an absolutely wonderful day.'
The actress added that she thought it was funny she had been asked to go in for two early shifts either side of the investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
She said: 'Typical - they call me in first thing in the morning. It made me laugh - "You might be a dame but you're still in first thing in the morning," - I loved it!'
Dame Barbara was joined by her husband Scott Mitchell and her longtime agent, Barry Burnett, at the ceremony.
The Carry On! star was previously awarded an MBE in 2000.
She celebrated her investiture with family and some EastEnders colleagues, including June Brown and Pam St Clement, for a special lunch at Fortnum & Mason in central London.
Queens of showbiz: Barbara is no stranger to the Palace - she was awarded an MBE in 2000 alongside pal Shirley Bassey, who was made a dame the same year
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