Birds Of A Feather star Pauline Quirke makes rare public appearance to receive MBE from Prince William

BIRDS of a Feather star Pauline Quirke proudly received an MBE today at Windsor Castle.

The actress, 63, looked overjoyed as she met Prince William, as he gave her the MBE for her services to young people, the entertainment industry and charity.

Pauline, who starred alongside Loose Women panellist Linda Robson, 64, and Lesley Joseph, 77, is the first cast member to be honoured by the Royal Family.

The popular TV star beamed as she accepted her honour from the Prince of Wales.

She looked incredible in a chic black coat, leather boots and a net fascinator hat.

Pauline – who played the lovable role of Sharon Theodopolopodous on the ITV sitcom – beamed as Prince William placed his arm on her shoulder to congratulate her.

Last year, The Celeb Report reported her fall-out with Linda Robson caused the show to be scrapped.

Linda and co-star Lesley Joseph had hoped the much-loved sitcom would be renewed after a Christmas special picked up an impressive 7.9million viewers, despite Pauline’s absence.

But according to the Mail, station bosses don’t see a future without Linda and Pauline starring together as beloved sisters Sharon and Tracey, in the show which ran from 1989 to 1998 and returned in 2014.

A source told the publication: “Without Pauline, the view is that there is no Birds Of A Feather. You cannot have Tracey without Sharon, and there is no way Pauline will be going back. Things are bad between her and Linda.

“Linda and Lesley gave it a go but, despite the figures being good, ITV won’t be recommissioning it.”

It is claimed Linda and Lesley, who played Dorien Green, touted the idea of continuing with a younger replacement for Pauline.

Last year, Linda broke her silence on the reported feud with Pauline – saying: “It’s a load of old codswallop.”

Linda, 64, who has played Tracey Stubbs since 1989, also insists the only reason Pauline missed last year’s Christmas special of the show was because she wanted to step away from the limelight.

Pauline and Linda were childhood best friends.

The Londoners met at Islington’s Anna Scher Theatre School in the late Sixties and first appeared on TV together in Pauline’s Quirkes in the mid-Seventies.

Pauline has also starred in Emmerdale from 2010 to 2012, and appeared in ITV crime drama Broadchurch.

Pauline was also joined by 80s rock singer Bonnie Tyler who also received an MBE today for services to music.

The Holding Out for a Hero singer, 71, looked incredible in a fitted black satin dress with a cowl neck, a matching fascinator and black and white heels.

The Welsh singer said: “I’m just a girl from a small town in Wales who just loves to sing. So to be recognised for that in this way is very significant to me and my family and friends.”