Hawthorne, who was knighted for his services to theatre, film and television, said he was "touched that I have been plucked from an enormous number of people" to receive a knighthood. He added; "Sir Humphrey would have barred me from having such an honour, I'm sure."

"The gentlemen in front and behind me (as I received the award) were senior civil servants, so I was in good company", said Hawthorne. When discussing the similarity to his Sir Humphrey character, he joked, "but I played King George III - and I didn't get crowned today."

The role of George III in "the Madness of King George" is seen as the role in a film that won Nigel Hawthorne international acclaim. Hawthorne said he knew the Prince of Wales had seen the film, but was not sure if the Queen had.

He also compared the ceremony at Buckingham Palace to an Academy Award night: "The Academy Awards are very disconcerting because you are in competition, whereas here you feel that you are among friends and you know you've already got the award."

Hawthorne said that his late parents would have been proud to see him so honoured, even though they had tried to discourage him from acting. He said that his father, a doctor, had wanted him to join the Civil Service or the Diplomatic Corps, "where I'm fairly sure I would have caused major wars."

Speaking after receiving his award he said: "I feel very honoured and proud. It is lovely to be here today. I was nervous, but I think the Queen was too."

John Major was made a Companion of Honour in Tony Blair's second "People's" New Year Honours list. John Major CH was allegedly amused to find himself rubbing shoulders in the list with famous fictional civil servant Sir Humphrey Appleby in the form of Nigel Hawthorne.

Incidentally, Sir Nigel was awarded the knighthood at the same time as the charming actor Roger Moore was awarded with a CBE for his involvement with UNICEF.