OBE for Annie Lennox

Pop star Annie Lennox was awarded with her OBE by the Queen today and described the occasion as "magical".

The former Eurythmics singer was honoured for her work fighting Aids and poverty in Africa in an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Lennox said: "It's quite magical. It's really meaningful to me that it's for charity work." The 56-year-old - accompanied by her daughters Tali and Lola - wore a purple taffeta dress with a pleated skirt, topped off with a matching vintage felt hat.

The former Eurythmics singer was among a list of entertainment, military and sporting personalities who were honoured by the Queen during a Buckingham Palace investiture ceremony.

Aberdeen-born Lennox, 56, has sold more than 80 million albums worldwide with the Eurythmics and as a solo star, and has won a string of awards including Grammys, Brits, Ivor Novellos and an Oscar.

She now splits her time between her music and campaigning on behalf of Aids and HIV victims and poverty-stricken women and children in the developing world.