Hugh Laurie collects OBE

Actor Hugh Laurie has enjoyed a day at Buckingham Palace after collecting his OBE from the Queen.

While the British star has recently enjoyed enormous success as the lead in US drama House, he has been part of Britain's comedy establishment for more than 20 years.

He began his comedy career as part of the Cambridge Footlights, which also included famous names such as Stephen Fry and Emma Thompson, but hit the big time in 1987 when Fry and Laurie landed their own sketch show, A Bit Of Fry And Laurie.

Laurie also became a hit in Blackadder and played Bertie in Jeeves And Wooster. Roles on the big screen have included Peter's Friend, Sense And Sensibility and Stuart Little.

The 47-year-old has won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Emmy for his role in House, which sees him spending much of his time in Los Angeles.

Also picking up MBEs were Ruby Hammer and Millicent Kendall, who are behind the Ruby & Millie make-up brand.

International make-up artist Ms Hammer said her experience had been "quite overwhelming" but Palace staff had taken great effort to put them both at ease.

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