16 February 2012 Last updated at 08:26 ET

Ronnie Corbett receives "pretty" honour from Queen

Corbett said "it doesn't come much better" than being honoured at Buckingham Palace

Veteran comedian Ronnie Corbett said being made a CBE was "a very lovely honour", following an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

The 81-year-old exchanged a few words with the Queen as he received a medal which he described as "very pretty".

"She told me, 'You make people laugh'," he told reporters afterwards. "I think she's remarkable for her age."

The Two Ronnies star was recognised in the New Year Honours for services to charity and the entertainment industry.

Corbett, who was accompanied on Thursday by his two daughters, said his wife Anne could not attend as she is in hospital with pneumonia.

Veteran comedian Ronnie Corbett on becoming a CBE - courtesy British Ceremonial Arts

He said he liked to think his former co-star, the late Ronnie Barker, was "looking down" on him on this "lovely day".

One of Britain's best loved comics, the Edinburgh-born Corbett has been performing for more than 60 years.

Famous for his rambling monologues and jokes about his short stature, he previously received an OBE in 1978.