EastEnders star June Brown's iconic character of Dot Cotton has been involved in some of the soap's most memorable moments.
And June's longstanding and remarkable performances as Dot saw her gain the royal seal of approval in 2008.
In that year's Queen's Birthday Honours list, she was awarded an MBE for her services to drama as well as her charity work.
She later travelled to Buckingham Palace to collect her honour, which was handed to her by Her Majesty.
But in an interview in 2019, June admitted she considered writing a letter of apology to the Queen following the investiture ceremony after she made an awkward blunder.
In an interview with the Radio Times, she spoke about how she became flustered when her name was called during the ceremony.
She explained: "When I was called I tripped on the step in front of her and almost fell over.
“She said something about enjoying EastEnders and for some reason, I replied, ‘I didn’t think you’d see it because it clashes with your dinner’.
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“I didn’t even call her Ma’am or Your Majesty, so later I thought about writing to her to apologise. But I suppose at least I made her laugh.”
However, it wasn't the first encounter that June had enjoyed with the Queen as she also met her at a 60th birthday party.
And June explained that was also a little awkward too. She said: "She [Queen] didn’t have a clue who I was.
“Her aides weren’t there to introduce me, so she gave me a look and just walked off, which made me fall about laughing.”
However, these encounters obviously didn't have a lasting effect on the Queen as in the most recent 2022 New Year's Honours List, June was awarded an OBE to go with her MBE.
Again this was for her services to drama and charity.
It was announced today that June had died at the age of 95, with EastEnders bosses paying a heartbreaking tribute to her.
They said: "We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved June Brown, OBE, MBE sadly passed away last night. There are not enough words to describe how much June was loved and adored by everyone at EastEnders, her loving warmth, wit and great humour will never be forgotten...
"June created one of the most iconic characters in Dot Cotton, not just in soap but in British television, and having appeared in 2884 episodes, June’s remarkable performances created some of EastEnders finest moments…
"We send all our love and deepest sympathies to June’s family and friends. A very bright light has gone out at EastEnders today - we shall all be raising a sweet sherry in June’s memory. Rest in peace, our dearest June. You will never be forgotten."
