Maureen Lipman receives damehood from Prince Charles

Beattie would be proud: Jewish actress Maureen Lipman received a damehood from Prince Charles at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.

Speaking to the Press Association after the ceremony, the 75-year-old revealed she never expected to be given a damehood by “the future monarch” himself.

Dame Maureen received a little help preparing for the big day from Coronation Street’s costume department. 

The Corrie star, who returned to the ITV soap as Evelyn Plummer in 2018, revealed she borrowed seven hats from the production, eventually settling on a black headpiece. 

"I travelled back from Manchester with seven hats and on Tuesday I had friends round and they said, 'Wear that, no that, not that.'

"And I completely blew it this morning and changed my mind,” she said.

The West London shul member, who starred in a series of adverts for BT as a doting Jewish grandmother, has enjoyed a 50-year career on stage, film and TV.

Her film credits include roles on The Pianist, Educating Rita and Up the Junction.

She was recognised for services to charity, entertainment and the arts.