The writer who has sold more than 20 million books in the UK alone was at Buckingham Palace only last week to receive her latest honour in person from the Queen but she insists that, regardless of the prestige that comes with being able to call yourself a Dame, she's still the same person she ever was – and has no intention of changing.

"I'm very proud of being a Dame but rest assured I don't intend to be known as Dame Jacqueline, unless it was for some incredibly formal occasion," she laughs.

And proving that nobody is taking the honour too seriously, she adds: "Of course, all my friends keep asking when I'm going to be in pantomime!"

All of which might sound like Jacqueline's making light of this latest accolade, yet she insists nothing could be further from the truth and that she was thrilled to be meeting the Queen.

"The actual day itself was gorgeous and meeting the Queen was lovely," she says.

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