Adele now has a new award under her belt - an MBE.

The superstar singer received the royal honour today (December 19) at Buckingham Palace in London for services to music.

She was bestowed with the title - full name Most Excellent Order of the British Empire - by Prince Charles because the Queen was away.

The '21' star was pictured sharing a laugh with the British royal in the grand surroundings.

It is a proud ending to a somewhat quiet year for Adele, who gave birth to her first child in 2012.

She won a Golden Globe and an Oscar in the early part of 2013 for her James Bond Skyfall theme song.

Her last full record came in the shape of 2011's global hit '21', which has become the fourth bestselling album ever in the UK.