The Australian singer wore a shimmering cream-coloured dress decorated with large stars, and gold high-heeled sandals for the occasion.

She chatted and joked with the Prince of Wales as he gave her the honour.

When the former Neighbours star found out last December she would be made an OBE for services to music, she said: "I feel deeply touched to be acknowledged by the UK, my adopted home, in this way."

It was while playing Charlene in the hit soap in the mid-1980s that Minogue, 40, won the hearts of the British public.

She went on to launch a pop career with early hits including I Should Be So Lucky.

The albums sold just as well as the singles and over the intervening years millions were bought by fans as she remodelled herself from the cute girl-next-door to a sultry diva. Tunes like the disco pop of Can't Get You Out Of My Head and its risque video cemented her new image.

Away from the limelight the entertainer, who started her career acting in TV while a young girl, has inspired millions with her successful battle against breast cancer.

In May, she was given the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government for "contribution to the enrichment of French culture".

The star said: "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."