Connolly collects his CBE from palace

Billy Connolly has picked up his CBE from the Prince of Wales.

The 61-year-old, was awarded the gong in the Queen's birthday honours this summer, and yesterday went to Buckingham Palace to collect it

After the event, he said: "This will be behind a wee window with all the other mementoes. What exactly do you do with it?"

Dressed in traditional top hat and tails, the Big Yin added: "Usually when [Prince Charles] sees me I've got me breeks on - you know those Scottish corduroy breeks that come to the knee with woolly socks - or I'm in a kilt.

"I normally look like an unemployed window cleaner."

"I didn't have to do anything but walk up and accept this lovely thing.

"If I had to give a speech I might have been nervous, but I didn't so it was a doddle."

The former welder now lives in Los Angeles, where his film career is finally taking off, thanks to a major role in the forthcoming Tom Cruise blockbuster The Last Samurai.

His was accompanied at the Palace by his wife and biographer, Pamela Stephenson.

Published: 4 Dec 2003