The performers were delighted with their gongs (Picture: PA)
Welsh rock singer Bonnie Tyler and Pauline Quirke, star of TV sitcom Birds Of A Feather, received MBEs at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.
Tyler, 71, best known for her 1983 smash hit Total Eclipse Of The Heart, said receiving an MBE for her services to music showed that ‘anyone from any background can become a success’.
Receiving the honour from the Prince of Wales for a career spanning five decades, Tyler added: ‘I’m just a girl from a small town in Wales who just loves to sing. So to be recognised for that in this way is very significant to me and my family and friends.’
The Holding Out for a Hero singer – real name Gaynor Sullivan – looked chic in black, wearing a fitted satin dress with a cowl neck, jaunty fascinator and black and white heels.
She was given her honour in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list last year alongside Quirke, who is known for her role as Sharon Theodopolopodous on the hit comedy Birds Of A Feather.
Quirke also opted for black for the occasion, wearing a smart ankle-length coat, boots and a flower-shaped fascinator.
Tyler, from Swansea, called the recognition of an MBE ‘very significant’ (Picture: PA)
She collected the award from the Prince of Wales (Picture: PA)
The singer beamed as they shook hands and had a quick chat (Picture: PA)
Prince William warmly grasped her by the arms as they chatted at the castle following him pinning the award on her chest.
The 63-year-old starred on the show alongside Linda Robson from 1988 to 1999, and in a revival from 2014-2017. She is also known for appearances in Emmerdale from 2010 to 2012, and in crime drama Broadchurch.
She has since stepped back from acting to expand her performing arts school, the Pauline Quirke Academy, which was established in 2007, and was awarded her MBE for services to young people, entertainment and charity.
Quirke shared a warm exchange with William (Picture: PA)
Her MBE recognised the work she’s done with her performing schools franchise as well as her acting career (Picture: PA)
Ireland’s most capped international, Shirley McCay, also received an MBE today for services to hockey and to the community in Northern Ireland.
McCay, 34, played in defence for the Ireland women’s field hockey international team more than 300 times and said receiving an MBE was ‘completely unexpected but very special’.
Former president of the Royal College of Physicians Sir Andrew Goddard was knighted for services to health and social care.
Sir Andrew, 55, who held the position of president from 2018-2022, said he was ‘completely humbled’ by the award of a knighthood when it was announced in the honours list last year.
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The gastroenterologist said: ‘I do, though, see it as a recognition of all the physician workforce did in response to the pandemic and the issues it highlighted, including health inequality and workforce shortages.
‘The pandemic brought out the best in physicians and I have never been prouder to be one.’
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Both were recognised for the gongs last year by the Queen.
