Kristin Scott Thomas was presented with her Damehood from Queen Elizabeth on Thursday (19.03.15).

Kristin Scott Thomas

Kristin Scott Thomas

The 54-year-old actress went to Buckingham Palace to receive the honour and during their meeting the British monarch discovered Kristin is going to be playing her in the play 'The Audience'.

The queen had a word of warning about portraying her on the stage.

Revealing her conversation with Elizabeth, 88, Kristin said: "She asked me what I was doing next, so I had to tell her and she said it would be quite a challenge."

'The English Patient' star Kristin is steeping into the royal role - originally played by Dame Helen Mirren in the production's initial West End run and move to Broadway - from May when it comes to London again at the Apollo Theatre with previews from April.

'The Audience' is inspired by the queen's private weekly meetings with all of Britain's Prime Ministers during her six-decade reign on the throne.

The damehood for Kristin - who was born in Cornwall, England, but has lived in Paris, France, since she was 19 - comes 12 years after she was presented with an OBE in 2003.