Artist Grayson Perry is awarded a CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) by Britain's Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, in London, Friday, Jan. 24, 2014. (AP Photo / Jonathan Brady/PA) UNITED KINGDOM OUT
January 24, 2014 - 11:27 AM
LONDON - Cross-dressing artist Grayson Perry has been honoured at Buckingham Palace, wearing what he dubbed his "Italian mother-of-the-bride" outfit.
The self-described "transvestite potter" was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Prince Charles on Friday.
Dressed as his female alter ego, Claire, he wore a midnight blue dress and matching jacket with a wide-brimmed black hat trimmed with feathers.
After the ceremony, 53-year-old Perry said he felt it was important not to "compromise my identity as Britain's pre-eminent transvestite. I Googled to see what people wore and went for the sexier end."
Buckingham Palace said Perry's attire "was entirely appropriate."
Perry, whose ceramic creations combine delicate artistry with hard-hitting imagery, won art's prestigious Turner Prize in 2003 and has presented programs on British radio and television.
News from © The Associated Press, 2014