Sir Roger said the palace ceremony was
"nerve-wracking" |
Former
James Bond star Sir Roger Moore and singer Sting have received
honours from the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
Sir Roger received his knighthood for charity work and said the
palace ceremony gave him "the worst attack of stage fright in my
life".
"I was worrying about whether I was going to get up again after
kneeling," the 75-year-old actor joked.
And Sting - who has won 10 solo Grammy Awards - received a CBE
for his services to the music industry.
Sir Roger, who appeared in seven Bond films, has been a Unicef
goodwill ambassador for 12 years.
'Better than Oscar'
Speaking after his investiture, Sir Roger said: "It was
nerve-wracking. I was first on which is a bit like opening the
show."
He said the honour was better than winning an Oscar and revealed
that the Queen talked to him about his Bond work.
She told him he would long be known as 007 despite his years of
charity work - but he replied that he did not mind because "I was
paid money for it".
 |
I didn't ever
imagine that when I set off... that I would end up here at
Buckingham Palace 
|
Sir
Roger, who was made a CBE in 1999, is the second Bond star to be
knighted, following Sir Sean Connery's investiture in 2000.
The actor began supporting Unicef in 1991 after a suggestion by
fellow ambassador actress Audrey Hepburn.
Earlier this year, Sir Roger had heart surgery to fit a pacemaker
after collapsing on stage in New York.
Rock star Sting's honour marks his 25 years in the music
business.
A former teacher, he found fame with the group The Police,
alongside Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers.
He said he was "bemused", "excited" and "nervous" at receiving
the honour.
"I've never met the Queen before. It's a little bit like a
dream," he said.
"I didn't ever imagine that when I set off from Newcastle with a
guitar and a bag of songs that I would end up here at Buckingham
Palace."
Sting has carved out a successful solo career, recently enjoying
a chart revival after teaming up with Craig David and lending his
vocals to a Sugababes track.
He is also an environmental activist, campaigning to save the
world's rainforests.