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Strictly star Darcey Bussell made a dame as she joins Sir Paul McCartney to collect gongs from the Queen

STRICTLY Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell hotfooted it to Buckingham Palace to be made a dame — and got some musical accompaniment from Sir Paul McCartney.

The Beatles legend was made a Companion of Honour by The Queen for services to music.

 Strictly Come Dancing star Darcey Bussell proudly accepted her gong from the Queen at Buckingham Palace
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Strictly Come Dancing star Darcey Bussell proudly accepted her gong from the Queen at Buckingham PalaceCredit: PA:Press Association
 Before becoming a judge on Strictly Darcey Bussell was one of Britain's top ballerinas
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Before becoming a judge on Strictly Darcey Bussell was one of Britain's top ballerinasCredit: PA:Press Association
 Darcey became Dame Commander of the British Empire
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Darcey became Dame Commander of the British EmpireCredit: AFP

Yesterday, he said: “I see this as a huge honour for me and my family and I think of how proud my Liverpool mum and dad would have been to see this.”

Sir Paul, 75, was joined by wife-of-seven-years Nancy Shevell, 58, and wore a tailored navy double-breasted suit, created by his fashion designer daughter Stella McCartney, 46.

But Dame Darcey, 49, was more eye-catching in a bright floral dress as she was given her damehood for services to dance.

Before joining the Strictly panel in 2012, she was one of Britain’s top ballerinas in the Royal Ballet.

 Sir Paul McCartney collected his gong with his wife-of-seven-years Nancy Shavell
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Sir Paul McCartney collected his gong with his wife-of-seven-years Nancy ShavellCredit: PA:Press Association
 Sir Paul wore a tailored navy double-breasted suit which was designed by his daughter Stella
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Sir Paul wore a tailored navy double-breasted suit which was designed by his daughter StellaCredit: PA:Press Association
 Sir Paul, who is now a Companion of Honour, collected an MBE along with the rest of The Beatles stars
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Sir Paul, who is now a Companion of Honour, collected an MBE along with the rest of The Beatles starsCredit: PA:Press Association

She compared it to the feeling of getting married and revealed she’d asked the Prince of Wales and Camilla to join the Strictly audience.

Dame Darcey also responded to the suggestion Prince Harry might make a good Strictly contestant.

She said: “I would love to see Harry. I think he would try everything. He’d probably be great on Strictly, wouldn’t he? He would be fantastic.”

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Strictly Come Dancing Head Judge Shirley Ballas gets snubbed by Darcey Bussell during show intro
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