Pop star Kylie Minogue given British honour

Enlarge Photo Australian singer Kylie Minogue arrives at Buckingham Palace in London July 3, 2008. REUTERS/Martin Keene/Pool

Thu, Jul 3 06:15 PM

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - Pop star Kylie Minogue, who went from soap actress to become one of the world's most famous female recording artists, was honoured by Britain for her services to music on Thursday.

A beaming Minogue, who recently overcame breast cancer, received an Order of the British Empire (OBE) from Prince Charles, who was standing in for Queen Elizabeth at the ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

"It is an incredible honour for me to receive this award. It makes me feel both humble and proud to be recognised for doing a job that I love so much," she said.

The diminutive Australian became a household name in Britain in the 1980s after starring as Charlene in the TV soap "Neighbours".

She turned to music after leaving the popular show, releasing her first single "Locomotion" in 1987 and has continued to enjoy huge chart success with songs such as "Can't Get You Out Of My Head" and "Spinning Around".

In 2005 she was diagnosed with breast cancer but returned to performing after recovering from surgery and chemotherapy.

Earlier this year, Minogue received one of France's top cultural awards when she was made a Chevalier dans l'ordre des Arts et Lettres (Knight of Arts and Letters) for "the cultural pleasure she has given French people".

Inside News

Editor's picks