Angelina Jolie receives honorary damehood

Angelina Jolie received an honorary damehood from Britain's Queen Elizabeth II today.

The 39-year-old met the British monarch at Buckingham Palace in London to accept the insignia. The actress was presented with an Honorary Dame Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George. The investiture took place during a private audience at the Palace, with Angelina first receiving it by herself, before being joined by husband Brad Pitt and their six children.

"Initially, the queen presented the insignia to Angelina alone and after the private audience both Mr Brad Pitt and all children were presented to the queen," a source told British newspaper The Mirror.

It was announced in June, when the star was co-chairing the End Sexual Violence in Conflict (ESVC) global summit in London with then-British foreign secretary William Hague, that she would receive the honour. Her damehood was granted for services to UK foreign policy and the campaign to end warzone sexual violence.

"To receive an honour related to foreign policy means a great deal to me, as it is what I wish to dedicate my working life to," she said at the time of the announcement. "Working on PSVI [Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative] and with survivors of rape is an honour in itself. I know that succeeding in our goals will take a lifetime, and I am dedicated to it for all of mine.”

Angelina, who married Fury star Brad this August, looked fantastic during her meeting with the queen in a dove-grey skirt suit and matching heels. Meanwhile, the 88-year-old also looked delightful in a peach three-quarter-sleeved dress and black shoes.

Because it is an honorary title, Angelina cannot call herself a dame because she is a foreign citizen, but she can put the letters DCMG after her name.