Legendary singer admits she “shouldn’t have broken royal protocol”

Singing legend Shirley Bassey admitted she accidentally breached royal protocol when she tried to meet King Charles III at a recent awards ceremony.

Dame Shirley was among the guests of honour who received an award at Windsor Castle on Tuesday.

The singer from “Goldfinger” received the “Companion of Honour” award in the New Year’s Honours List for her services to music, after having already received the title “Dame” when she was included in the 1999 Honours List.

Accepting the award this week, she admitted that she forgot to curtsy to the king and instead reached out to “grab” him.

“I think it’s more nerve-wracking to accept the award from him than to sing in front of him. I mean, it’s new, different, whereas I’ve been singing since I was a child,” she told reporters.

“I forgot to curtsy, but that’s why I grabbed his hands because I forgot to curtsy. Instinctively.”

The Welsh singer admitted that she also complimented the king during this conversation.

“I asked him how he was and he said he was fine and said, ‘You look wonderful.'”

“He wished me well and then I grabbed him – I know I shouldn’t have done that. But I took both his hands and said, ‘I wish you well.'”

This is not the first time the Big Spender singer has met members of the royal family. Dame Shirley has met the late Queen Elizabeth II several times and met King Charles when he was Prince of Wales.

“I think the first time I sang was at the Royal Variety for the Queen – my very first show. And then I sang a few others after that and was very blasé,” she told reporters on Tuesday.

Of the honor she received on Tuesday, the singer said she felt “truly honored” that her contribution to music over the past seven decades had been recognized.

“Receiving the Order of the Companions of Honour is simply one of the most wonderful feelings. Music is a constant companion in my life.”

“As a little girl growing up in Tiger Bay, I dreamed of traveling the world and never imagined that my voice would one day take me where I am today.

“It has been a privilege to entertain audiences for over 70 years. My heart is full of emotion and I am truly touched.”

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