Benedict Cumberbatch has been made a CBE by the Queen at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. The Sherlock star is being honoured for his work as an actor and his charitable efforts. Cumberbatch was made a CBE — meaning Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire — by the Queen Elizabeth herself at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday morning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swHSk1RmubU

Speaking afterwards, he said: “It’s fantastic, it’s quite nerve-wracking, there is nothing really that prepares you for it. It’s a unique occasion and I feel very privileged to be here and flattered to be recognised in this way.” He added: “It was wonderful, it was the first time I’ve ever met her and to meet her and be honoured by her was extraordinary.” The actor was joined at the ceremony by his theatre director wife Sophie Hunter.

Cumberbatch wrapped up his run as Hamlet at the historic Barbican theatre last month and used the platform to make nightly pleas to the audience concerning the plight of refugees. After one performance, he reportedly exclaimed, “F**k the politicians.” Audience contributions from these shows were said to have raised £150,000 for Save the Children.

“We’re living through a humanitarian crisis,” he said. “Over 60 million people are currently fleeing their homes … because of the unimaginable horrors of war.” He then added, “No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark.”

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