Emma Thompson honored with damehood in London

Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson was honored with a damehood in London.

The 59-year-old British star was named a dame by Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, at a ceremony Wednesday at Buckingham Palace.

Thompson wore a teal suit and white sneakers to the event, according to Vanity Fair. The Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) is the female equivalent of a knighthood.

E! News said Thompson joked with William as as he presented her with the honor. The actress is a longtime friend of the royal family and cheekily asked the prince for a kiss.

"I love Prince William," Thompson said after the ceremony. "I've known him since he was little, and we just sniggered at each other. I said, 'I can't kiss you, can I?' And he said, 'No don't!'"

"It's really lovely because I've always loved the boys, and I've always been a long-term correspondent with their dad," she added, referencing William, Prince Harry and Prince Charles.

Thompson's husband, actor and producer Greg Wise, 31-year-old son Tindyebwa and 18-year-old daughter Gaia attended the ceremony. Thompson was honored for her contributions to drama.

"Congratulations to Dame Emma Thompson! Today at Buckingham Palace, the actor received her Damehood from The Duke for Services to Drama," Kensington Palace tweeted.

Thompson is known for such films as Much Ado About Nothing, The Remains of the Day, Sense and Sensibility and Love Actually. She will star in the new BBC and HBO series Years & Years with Rory Kinnear.