Queen honours James Bond

The Queen today honoured one of the smoothest men in showbusiness ... and another who looked as if he had not even bothered to shave this morning.

The suave recipient of a knighthood was Sir Roger Moore, looking as debonair as he did in his days as James Bond.

But it was Sting was attracted the attention when he turned up at Buckingham Palace sporting what may, or may not, have been a rather sparse attempt at a beard - or just five days' worth of stubble.

Singer Sting, real name Gordon Sumner, was receiving a CBE for services to the music industry. Married to actress Trudie Styler, a father of six and a devoted Yoga practitioner, 51-year-old Sting was born in Wallsend on Tyneside, the son of a milkman.

His CBE follows a string of music awards acknowledging a rich career which has placed him eighth in The Sunday Times 2003 music millionaires list.

Sir Roger was being knighted, not in recognition of his long acting career, which included seven James Bond movies, but for his charity work, particularly with Unicef, the United Nations Children's Fund.

He said afterwards: "I had the worst attack of stage fright in my life. When you realise the gravitas of the situation, it's slightly nerveracking.

"It was like a costume drama and I was Sir Ivanhoe - a part I have played, incidentally."

Sir Roger, 75, disclosed that the Queen had recognised the pitfalls of being famous for one role. "I said that I didn't mind because I was paid money for it."