Angela Lansbury was recently made a Dame by the Queen of England for her career in acting and her work with charities. The lovely 88-year-old actress said she was honored to be recognized by her queen and country, according to the BBC.

The actress is best known for playing Jessica Fletcher, mystery author and amateur gumshoe, on the long-running and exceedingly popular show Murder, She Wrote.

However, her career has seen roles such as Miss Price in a favorite childhood movie of mine, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Mrs. Iselin in The Manchurian Candidate, and Elvis’ mother in his famous movie Blue Hawaii.

She was born in England, but moved to the US during World War II after the death of her father. She has recently returned to the London stage after an absence of nearly 40 years. She returned to star in Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit at the Gielgud Theatre. She plays an eccentric medium named Madame Arcati, and her performance has been received with highest praise by critics.

After she was made a dame at Windsor Castle she said of the experience, “To meet the Queen under these circumstances is a rare and lovely occasion.”

While she has been honored before for her acting by being nominated for 3 Oscars including for her first film, 1944’s Gaslight, she said being given the title of Dame is different.

She elaborated on the difference in stating “[The Oscar] is for my work in motion pictures and this is for the overall accomplishments of my life as an actress.” She then added, “It has afforded me the joy of working in America and also in England a great deal.”

Dame Angela is now part of an exclusive group of actresses that have been given the honor by the Queen including Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Penelope Keith.

Congratulations to Angela Lansbury!

Image Via Wikimedia Commons