Entertainment

Diva-Damsels Become Dames

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

May 16, 2000 / 2:41 PM EDT / CBS

Britain's Queen Elizabeth Tuesday made screen legends Julie Andrews and Elizabeth Taylor dames.

For her part, Taylor wished Richard Burton had been there to savor her crowning moment.

"I miss him so much. I wish he was here," she said, reflecting on the tempestuous love of her life - they married twice. Burton died in 1984.

"I came to Buckingham Palace once before, years ago, with Richard, when he received the OBE (Order of the British Empire)," said the two-time Oscar winner, who is 68.

Taylor, who has had two hip replacements, was supported by two of her sons as she came down the palace steps after the ceremony. The British title of dame is the female equivalent of knighthood.

"It is the most exciting - and I do not exaggerate - day of my life. It totally came as a surprise to me. I had no inkling. It was just like, 'Whaaat. I can't believe it! Me! Getting a dameship!"' she said afterward.

She said she would celebrate with a lunch of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding and vowed she would never take off her insignia.

Sound of Music star Julie Andrews was also made a dame of the Order of the British Empire and given a ceremonial brooch by the monarch.

"This is the greatest honor of my life," Andrews, 64, told reporters.

"I didn't think I was eligible as I've lived in America for such a long time but I've always felt I have taken my Britishness with me."

Andrews, who posed with Taylor afterward, was equally proud and overwhelmed by the pomp and ceremony.

She said Queen Elizabeth told her, "It was a great thrill to see me here, it was a great pleasure to see me here. And I said, 'Oh Your Majesty, you cannot imagine what a thrill it is for me too."'

Andrews, who shot to fame on stage playing the cockney star of the musical My Fair Lady, has been married to American movie director Blake Edwards for 30 years. She won the 1964 Academy Award for her performance in the title role of Mary Poppins.

Both Taylor and Andrews were born in Britain in the 1930s but have spent most of their working lives in the United States.

Andrews received her award for services to acting and entertainment, Taylor for services to acting and charity in recognition of her fund raising for AIDS research.

Taylor, born in London to American parents, is being given a dual artistic honor while visiting the British capital.

An exhibition of portraits of Dame Elizabeth has been staged at London's National Portrait Gallery and the British Film Institute is honoring her with a fellowship at a tribute dinner.