Keira Knightley: I forgot the name of my film in front of Prince Charles

Keira Knightley said she was so nervous picking up her OBE that she forgot the name of her latest film when asked by Prince Charles.

The actress, 33, who stars opposite Dominic West in Colette, received her honour at Buckingham Palace last week. She said: “It was lovely — I curtsied and I didn’t fall over in high heels which is always important.”

But she added: “It was Prince Charles and he asked me what film I was working on — and I forgot.”

The film, out next month, tells the story of 20th century French novelist Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, whom Knightley plays, and her attempt to escape her domineering husband, played by West.

The actress was speaking at a BAFTA event last night in central London. Asked what advice she would give to young women just starting out, she said they had to “keep fighting” to get recognition in their careers.

She said: “We’ve all seen the pay differences in jobs. I think what’s been really inspiring in your generation is you’re taking it on, you’ve all stood up and gone, ‘This is not good enough.’

“Therefore you must fight and be loud and not sit down and not be told it’s OK — because it isn’t.”