Emma Thompson playfully tries to steal kiss from Prince William at damehood ceremony

Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson has received one of Britain's highest awards from Prince William -- and thought about giving him a kiss at the Buckingham Palace ceremony.

Thompson received a damehood on Wednesday in recognition for her splendid career, an event made special by the fact that it was given to her by William, a longtime friend.

"I love Prince William. I've known him since he was little, and we just sniggered at each other," she says. "I said, 'I can't kiss you, can I?' And he said, 'No don't!"

Thompson was named for the female equivalent of a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June.

The Love Actually star, 59, told The Daily Mail of her damehood ceremony, "If you're first up, you have to be more formal on such an occasion, but he's looking wonderful and doing so well. He said, 'This day isn't about me, it's about you.'"

She added, fondly, "It's really lovely, because I've always loved the boys and I've always been a long-term correspondent with their dad. It's a very lovely feeling."

She plans to use the honour to focus attention on the plight of poor children who don't get adequate food during school holidays.

"I'm very outspoken, politically. I'm a card-carrying feminist, human rights advocate, so good for them, because the establishment need more people who can speak up for those things," the Hollywood icon said.

Thompson's longtime relationship with The Royals also means that she was subjected to prying questions about Prince HarryPrince Harry's wedding in May. 

In a taped interview back in March, she shut down one reporter's questioning and defending the couple's right to privacy.

"Stop doing the, 'Oh, let's talk about the royal wedding.' Not going to talk about the royal wedding," she said. "Just give the poor kids a break."

Another reason why you can't mess with a dame!

This article was originally published on November 7, 2017 with the title: "Call her a dame: Emma Thompson gets top British award."