BBC News Online: Entertainment: Showbiz

Star Trek captain collects OBE

Stewart, who is famous for playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation, accepted the medal on Thursday for his services to acting and the cinema.

The Prince of Wales was at the palace to bestow the medal on Stewart on behalf of the Queen, who made the award in her New Year's honours list.

The ceremony was held in the palace's ornate ballroom.

Afterwards, Stewart said: "I'm very touched and very pleased with this and it was a delightful morning."

The actor was accompanied by his wife Wendy and children Sophie and Daniel.

He said that having his family with him "made it especially grand".

Roots

Stewart's other recent roles include a starring role in hit sci-fi movie the X-Men.

He also appeared onstage in Leeds, Yorkshire in June, although now based in Los Angeles.

Despite being most famous for his role in the US-made Star Trek series, Stewart was born and brought up in Yorkshire.

And before his TV stardom, Stewart was an acclaimed stalwart of Shakespearian theatre.

He was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company for 27 years before joining the cast of Star Trek.

Thursday's investiture was the second time this week Stewart has been honoured.

On Monday, he was presented with an honorary fellowship by the University of Wales in Cardiff.

Staff at the university - who are writing a book on the Star Trek television series - decided to honour the star for his commitment to work in theatre, film and television.