Kinks singer Ray Davies, comedian Ken Dodd and Vogue editor Anna Wintour are among the arts figures that have been included on the Queen’s New Year Honours list.
Also on the list this year is actress Patricia Routledge has been made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire and now who’s social climbing character of Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced “Bouquet”) in Keeping Up Appearances after 35 years of ‘exclusive candlelit suppers’ has finally made it into the upper echelon of British society much to the chagrin of Delia Wheelwright and Lydia Hawksworth. Routledge won a British Comedy Award for her portrayal, and she was later nominated for two BAFTA TV Awards in 1992 and 1993.
Other than her role as Hyacinth Bucket on Keeping Up Appearances, Routledge has had a prolific career in theatre in the UK and on Broadway.
Her film credits include include To Sir, with Love (1967), Pretty Polly (1967), 30 Is a Dangerous Age, Cynthia (1968), The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom (1968), Don’t Raise the Bridge, Lower the River (1968), If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium (1969)
Routledge is an ambassador for age-positive charity Royal Voluntary Service, previously known as WRV and was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1993, Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2004
Dame Routledge said she was “very surprised indeed but very pleased that the Honour pertains to theatre”.