Thompson gets a damehood, but no kiss from the prince

LONDON — Oscar-winning actor Emma Thompson has received one of Britain’s highest awards from Prince William — and thought about giving him a kiss at the Buckingham Palace ceremony.

Thompson received a damehood on Wednesday in recognition for her career, an event made special by the fact that it was given to her by William, a longtime friend.

“I love Prince William. I’ve known him since he was little, and we just sniggered at each other,” she says. “I said: ‘I can’t kiss you, can I?’ And he said, ‘No don’t’!”

Thompson was named for the female equivalent of a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June.

She plans to use the honour to focus attention on the plight of poor children who don’t get adequate food during school holidays.