Joan Collins, who gained TV notoriety for her Golden Globe winning turn as the scheming and vengeful villainess Alexis Carrington in the long-running soap opera Dynasty (1981-1989), was honored as a dame by Queen Elizabeth II.

The iconic star was made a female equivalent of a knight in the Queen's annual New Year's honors list.

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Over 1,100 people have been honored by Her Majesty, although there's no question that, of them all, Collins is the most celebrated.

Aside from being an iconic TV and movie actress, Collins has also rendered outstanding services as a philanthropist.

The 81-year-old acting diva has been, for so long, supporting children's charities.

Collins, who was born in Paddington and grew up in Maida Vales, said she was humbled to have received "this level of recognition from my queen and country." She was also "thrilled and truly grateful" for the honor having bestowed upon her.

Oscar-nominated actress Kristin Scott Thomas was also made a dame.

The English Patient star is set to play no other than the Queen herself in the theatrical production The Audience next year, also was made a dame. She said she initially didn't believe the news.

Meanwhile, comedian James Corden, who will make his late-night debut as he replaces Craig Ferguson on CBS, was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

Other celebrities who were included in the New Year's list include fashion designer Mary Quant, who popularized the miniskirt in the 1960s and was named also a dame.

Oscar nominee Emily Watson was also made a dame.

Veteran actor John Hurt, whose most memorable performances were in The Naked Civil Servant, The Elephant Man and Alien was made a knight.

But so far, the most well-deserved honorees were ceramic artist Paul Cummins and stage designer Tom Piper, who created the ceramic poppy field on the moat of the Tower of London for the centenary of the outbreak of World War I and in honor of those who died during the Great War. The pair was created Members of the Order of the British Empire.

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