Sir Richard Eyre, the former artistic director of the National Theatre, revealed he was “flattered and surprised” when he discovered he was being made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour for his services to drama.
The theatre, film and TV director picked up his medal from the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace on Friday.
As well as speaking of his pride at the award, he said he has promised to pass on a message from Charles to actress Emma Thompson, with whom he is currently working on a new film.
He said: “(Charles) asked me what I am working on at the moment, and I told him it was a film with Emma Thompson.
“He’s a friend of Emma Thompson and he asked me to send his love to her.”
He added that he “certainly will” send on the message from the royal to the actress.
Sir Richard is directing The Children Act, an adaptation of Ian McEwan’s novel of the same name, with Emma in a leading role opposite Stanley Tucci.