She’s considered an icon in Australia and a cultural champion in France, and today Kylie Minogue added Britain to the list of countries who adore her when she received her OBE from the Prince of Wales.

The Australian singer, 40, arrived at Buckingham Palace this morning, dressed in a shimmering cream-coloured dress covered in large stars, to collect an OBE for services to music. While she left her trademark hotpants at home, she remained true to glamorous form by donning a pair of impossibly high, gold heels.

Stepping from her chauffeur-driven limousine, with blacked out windows, Minogue waved to waiting media before entering the palace. She then queued up with a host of British citizens, receiving similar honours, and chatted and joked with the Prince during the investiture.

Commenting on the experience, she said: "It was surprisingly emotional. I expected to be a little nervous, obviously very excited, but it was very emotional seeing all these people from different walks of life joining together for this event."

Taking in the lavish decorations, she said: "I'm imagining our family, when we were kids, saying to me, 'One day you're going to go to the Palace'. That would not have been believable."

She added: "It is an incredible honour for me to receive this award.

"It makes me feel both humble and proud to be recognised for doing a job that I love so much."

Minogue was joined at the Royal residence by her parents, former ballet dancer Carol and accountant Ron, and her sister X Factor judge Dannii, who rushed to Buckingham Palace from filming auditions for the TV talent show.

Minogue won over the British public in the Eighties, playing Charlene in the hit soap Neighbours before embarking on a music career. She scored her first hit in 1988, with I Should Be So Lucky, and his since racked up another six No. 1 singles, and five No. 1 albums. Madonna is the only female solo artist to have topped the charts more times.

In May, the singer, who fought breast cancer in 2005, was awarded the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Government for "contribution to the enrichment of French culture".

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