Angelina Jolie receives damehood from the Queen
Queen Elizabeth presented Angelina Jolie with honorary damehood on Friday.
LONDON (Agencies) - The Queen has presented Angelina Jolie with an honorary damehood during a private audience at Buckingham Palace.
The Oscar-winning actress was recognised in the Diplomatic Service and Overseas Birthday 2014 Honours list and received the honorary damehood (DCMG) for services to UK foreign policy and the campaign to end war-zone sexual violence.
After the presentation, her husband Brad Pitt and their six children were presented to the Queen.
The award was first announced in June as Jolie co-chaired the End Sexual Violence in Conflict (ESVC) global summit in London with then foreign secretary William Hague.
At the time she said of the honour: "To receive an honour related to foreign policy means a great deal to me, as it is what I wish to dedicate my working life to.
"Working on the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative and with survivors of rape is an honour in itself."
The Tomb Raider and Maleficent star s work as a committed humanitarian runs parallel to her career as a leading actress who has been a huge box office draw for more than a decade.
US Secretary of State John Kerry praised her humanitarian efforts after news of the award in June, describing her as as a "fierce and fearless advocate and he said her dedication to campaigning could overtake her successful film career as her lasting legacy.
Jolie is also special envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
The leading lady joins the ranks of many acting greats who have received damehoods, including Diana Rigg, Judi Dench, Julie Andrews, Angela Lansbury, Helen Mirren and Maggie Smith.
The 39-year-old star has previously won an Academy Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards, and was named Hollywood s highest-paid actress by Forbes in 2009, 2011, and 2013.
The actress will not be able to call herself a Dame as she is an American citizen but can use the initials of the award after her name.
