Joan Collins is to be made a dame by the Prince of Wales in an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

The 81-year-old actress, a devoted monarchist, is being recognised for her services to charity.

After being recognised in the honours list, she said: “It is humbling to receive this level of recognition from my Queen and country, and I am thrilled and truly grateful.”

Former world champion athlete Steve Cram will receive a CBE, while the daughter of footballer Stanley Matthews, Jean Gough, will become an MBE.

Collins has been a regular on stage and screen for more than half a century, but is probably best known for her portrayal of Alexis in Dynasty.

The glamorous US soap opera, with its lavish costumes complete with startling shoulder pads and big bouffant hairstyles, ran for most of the 1980s and made Collins a star all over again.

She was born to a show business family − her mother was a dancer and her father an agent − in London and enjoyed early success in the British film industry before heading to Hollywood.

Collins has worked steadily for decades with occasional gaps for marriage − she is currently on her fifth husband − and bringing up her family.

Notable roles include featuring in two X-rated films based on racy books by her sister Jackie.

Film appearances include a remake of The Big Sleep starring Robert Mitchum and she has featured in TV shows including Star Trek, The Man From U.N.C.L.E and more recently ITV sitcom Benidorm.

She also starred alongside Rising Damp actor Leonard Rossiter in a string of successful adverts for the drink Cinzano which invariably ended up with the drink being spilled down her top.

Collins has used her fame to support a variety of good causes including the NSPCC and the Shooting Star Chase children’s hospice.