RECEIVING ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S HIGHEST HONOURS DAME SHIRLEY BASSEY GRABS HER CHANCE WITH BOTH HANDS AS SHE IS MADE A COMPANION OF HONOUR BY THE KING

If anyone defines the word “diva”, it’s Dame Shirley Bassey, a star forever associated with high glamour, dramatic performances and a penchant for diamonds.

- ROSALIND POWELL

So she could be forgiven for forgetting to curtsy to the King when she was made a Companion of Honour for services to music.

The 87-year-old Welsh singer, who was brought up in poverty in Cardiff’s Tiger Bay and went on to forge a celebrated seven-decade career, blamed nerves for making her forget royal protocol at Windsor Castle.

“I think it’s more nerve-racking to receive the award from him than to sing in front of him,” she said. “I mean, it’s new, different, whereas singing, I’ve been doing since I was a child.

“I forgot to curtsy, but that’s why I grabbed his hands – because I forgot to curtsy. Instinctive.”

CLASSIC STYLE

Although we’re used to seeing the Diamonds Are Forever singer dressed head-to-toe in sequins, Dame Shirley, who was joined at the ceremony by her daughter Sharon, grandson Sebastian and great-granddaughter Sofia, chose a more formal frock to fit the occasion – a sparkling black-and-white Isabell Kristensen dress.

Her choice of outfit paid off when she received a compliment, as well as the honour, from His Majesty.