Legendary Vogue editor Anna Wintour was honoured by King Charles for her contribution to fashion during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace this morning.
Dame Anna, 75, arrived at the Palace wearing a chic grey blazer and matching calf-length skirt, while sporting the black sunglasses that have become an inextricable part of her sartorial identity.
However, she adhered to royal protocol and removed her signature shades once the ceremony got underway, as King Charles officially made her a Companion of Honour on Tuesday, February 4.
After Charles, 76, fastened the medal to the lapel of her jacket, the steeliest woman in fashion broke character and allowed herself a big smile while shaking hands with the monarch.
Anna is best-known as the long-serving editor-in-chief of Vogue, a position she has held since 1988.
She has also been running the Met Gala since 1995 and was made a Companion of Honour in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours list for her services to fashion.
The Companion of Honour is given to those who have made an outstanding contribution to national life, and there are only ever 65 recipients of the medal.
Alongside Anna, Tracey Emin, 61, was also honoured at the ceremony after she was made a Dame last year for her services to art.
Legendary Vogue editor Anna Wintour was honoured by King Charles for her contribution to fashion during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace this morning
She adhered to royal protocol and removed her signature shades once the ceremony got underway, as King Charles officially made her a Companion of Honour on Tuesday, February 4.
She dropped out of Medway College of Design in the 1980s to become a high-profile and notorious member of the group of contemporary artists dubbed the YBAs (Young British Artists).
During this time, her work Everyone I Have Ever Slept With 1963-1995, featuring a tent adorned with 102 names, was shown at Charles Saatchi’s Sensation exhibition held at the Royal Academy in London.
My Bed, an art installation featuring an unmade bed covered in debris, sold for more than £2 million at auction.
It was also among the contenders for the 1999 Turner prize, which was won by Steve McQueen for his film and video works.
Other works from Dame Tracey have included a 2018 neon sign in London’s St Pancras station saying “I want my time with you”, and a 2020 Royal Academy exhibition which showcased her paintings alongside the work of Edvard Munch.
Meanwhile, Anna was made a Dame Commander by the late Queen Elizabeth at a ceremony in 2017 in recognition of her services to fashion and journalism.
The King’s latest public appearance comes after the Royal Family marked World Cancer Day with a poignant video tribute – one year after Charles was diagnosed with the disease.
The video was posted on the Royal Family’s social media pages and featured a range of celebrities, scientists and charity workers who shared heartwarming messages for those affected by cancer.
The shades were back in place as Anna left Buckingham Palace while showing off her medal
The steeliest woman in fashion broke character and allowed herself a big smile as she received her medal
It comes after a tumultuous year for the royals, with both King Charles and the Princess of Wales being diagnosed with cancer.
While Catherine, 43, announced she had completed a preventative course of chemotherapy last September, Charles’ treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer is ongoing.
After a period of absence from royal engagements, both are now back to work and have previously issued heartfelt messages thanking medical staff for their treatment.
The video released today included messages from Adele Roberts, Tom Daley and Gok Wan.
Cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy, who recently revealed he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, told viewers: ‘We’re all in this together, you are not alone.
‘Keep living life every single day and keep smiling, and don’t forget to enjoy the here and the now.’
Sir Chris, who is a six-time Olympic track cycling gold medalist, was originally diagnosed with prostate cancer and revealed in October that he is not expected to recover.
Strictly Come Dancing’s professional dancer Amy Dowden also featured in the clip after she was forced to take time out from the show during treatment for breast cancer.
Alongside Anna, Tracey Emin, 61, was also honoured at the ceremony after she was made a Dame last year for her services to art
The star was diagnosed with stage three cancer in May 2023, underwent chemotherapy and a mastectomy, and received the happy news in February last year that there was no sign of cancer in her body.
She said: ‘I am sending so much love, strength and thoughts to those affected by cancer.
‘I remember after I was diagnosed a nurse telling me to stop holding it all in. If I needed to have a good cry to let it out.’
Neither King Charles nor Catherine appeared in the video that was captioned: ‘This World Cancer Day, we are sending love to all those navigating a cancer diagnosis – as well as the incredible doctors, nurses, charities, and families who work tirelessly to support them.’
In February last year, the royal family announced that Charles had been diagnosed with ‘a form of cancer’ and he was forced to recuse himself from all public engagements while seeking treatment.
He was able to return to most duties two months later while still receiving treatment.
Buckingham Palace said in December that his treatment cycles will continue this year, but that they are planning a ‘normal schedule’ for the monarch.
A source told Sky News: ‘His treatment has been moving in a positive direction.
Dame Tracey dropped out of Medway College of Design in the 1980s to become a high-profile and notorious member of the group of contemporary artists dubbed the YBAs (Young British Artists)
‘As a managed condition the treatment cycle will continue into next year.’
In his Christmas Day speech, the King gave a special mention to all of the medical staff who had treated him during his ordeal, as well as the rest of his family.
‘From a personal point of view, I offer special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who this year have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed,’ he said.
The royals were hit by a second cancer blow just a month after the King’s diagnosis, when it was revealed the Princess of Wales also had the disease.
Kate was also absent from public duties for a period of time as she underwent treatment.
In September, she revealed she had completed chemotherapy and last month returned to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London to thank staff for their work.
Kensington Palace said the royal had wanted to ‘show her gratitude to the incredible team, but also highlight the world-leading care and treatment the Marsden provides’.