Angela Lansbury becomes a dame

Angela Lansbury knows there is nothing like a dame, and now she is one!

It was announced in December that the beloved, British-born actress was on the list to receive damehood for her services to drama and to charitable work and philanthropy.

On Tuesday, Queen Elizabeth officially bestowed the DBE (Dame Commander of the British Empire) honor on Lansbury, 88, at Windsor Castle. Lansbury is currently starring in a production of Blithe Spirit in West End.

Dame Angela, who left Britain as a child, said: "It is a very proud day for me to be recognized by the country of my birth, and to meet the queen under these circumstances is a rare and lovely occasion," reports Sky News.

The Murder, She Wrote actress joins a select group of acting dames, including Judi Dench and Maggie Smith. Lansbury already has a CBE, or Commander of the British Empire.