She said: "I'm receiving it on behalf of all my hardworking colleagues who have, over 40 years, given me massive support and been brilliant."

       She added: "It's a real privilege to be doing my job, I'm very happy."

       She has faced criticism recently, including claims of heavy-handed police tactics at the vigil for murdered Sarah Everard.

       At the ceremony at St James's Palace, Prince Charles knighted NHS chief executive Simon Stevens for his services to the NHS in England.

       He also awarded an OBE to food writer and chef Nigel Slater.