Barbara Windsor beamed with pride as she collected her Damehood at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday (22 March).
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The 'EastEnders' actress, who was named in the Queen's New Year's Honours List, came face-to-face with Her Majesty, who bestowed her with the award at the investiture.
Barbara joked that it was lovely to meet "another small lady", admitting that she was impressed by her "gorgeous skin", adding: "I wonder what she uses?"
The star, who plays Peggy Mitchell on the BBC soap, celebrated the occasion with some of her former co-stars, including June Brown (Dot Branning) and Pam St Clement (Pat Butcher).
She was also joined by showbiz pals Christopher Biggins and Loose Women's Jane Moore (who knew they were friends?), as well as husband Scott Mitchell.
According to various reports, the 'EastEnders' theme tune was even played by the orchestra just before the Queen arrived at the ceremony.
Barbara, who was previously made an MBE in 2000, faced a backlash from some critics when news of her Damehood was announced in December, and she later accused them of trying to "rain on my parade".
She told Sky News: “After everyone was being so nice and congratulating you, all of a sudden people start pulling out a whole list of things - because I was honest, in my book - a whole page of things that kind of knocks you, as they're asking 'why would it go to her?'.
"I just thought 'why do you want to rain on my parade?'"
It's been a busy few days for Barbara, as she has just begun filming her upcoming departure from 'EastEnders'.
She announced that Peggy would be killed off once and for all, after the former Queen Vic landlady made a shock return earlier this year.
After disappearing from screens again following the bombshell, the actress has been filming her death scenes, which will also see Ross Kemp and Danniella Westbrook return as her children Grant and Sam.
Peggy's death will air on 'EastEnders' later in the spring.
