Eddie Redmayne has been made an OBE

Speaking to reporters after he collected his medal from the monarch, he said: "It is something that I had never thought of and it was never in my wildest imagination.

"It was absolutely wonderful. Also being with such extraordinary people the whole experience is incredibly humbling and also getting to be in Windsor Castle is breathtaking, around Christmas as well with all the decorations."

The Hollywood hunk - who opted for a luxurious pin-striped three-piece suit accompanied with a cream pocket handkerchief for the event - was joined at the ceremony by his wife Hannah Bagshawe and his parents as they watched him speak with the queen.

Eddie has known about his award for a while as he was listed in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in June 2015, just four months after he picked up Best Actor at the Oscar Awards for his portrayal of Professor Stephen Hawking in 'The Theory of Everything'.

Receiving his OBE has topped off an excellent year which has also seen Eddie and his wife Hannah become parents for the first time as they welcomed their daughter Iris into the world in June.

And, despite his impressive achievements and global fame, the handsome star is determined to remain grounded and has no problem getting on public transport.

He said recently: "It's really not a problem at all. How else do you get around London? I mean, in the sense that the traffic is so awful."

However, the 'Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them' actor will often make a hasty exit from the train if someone tries to take a sneaky picture.

He said: "You just have this really awkward 37 seconds before you run off the train in embarrassment. You're like, 'Oh, I get it. But couldn't you have asked?' Of course, people go, 'That's what you've signed up for.' Maybe they're right."