Wednesday, 5 July, 2000, 12:21 GMT 13:21 UK
Sir Sean's pride at knighthood
Sir Sean Connery and his wife Micheline after receiving his knighthood
Waving to the crowd after receiving his knighthood
Sean Connery has described the ceremony at which he was knighted by the Queen in Edinburgh as "one of the proudest days of my life".
Connery, made famous as 007 master spy James Bond, was honoured for services to film drama at an investitute he specifically requested take place in his home city.
He wore Highland dress and was accompanied by his wife Micheline and brother Neil at the ceremony in the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
I think it's a great honour for Scotland. There's only one day of the Honours system up here
Sir Sean Connery
He knelt while the Queen touched his shoulders lightly with a sword. Then, he rose and bowed as the Queen placed a small red sash bearing his medal around his neck.
The Queen, in a blue dress, shook hands with Sir Sean and they chatted for several moments before he took his seat while the ceremony continued.
Overseas home
Later, he said the Queen had asked how often he came to Scotland and said he had not been nervous about their meeting.
"I think it's a great honour for Scotland. There's only one day of the Honours system up here," he said.
"It's one of the proudest days of my life."
Signing an autograph before the ceremony
Signing an autograph before the ceremony
Sir Sean, who lives in Marbella with his second wife Micheline, was then asked if he would be coming back to Scotland. He grinned and replied: "I haven't gone yet."
Connery's support for the Scottish National Party and an independent Scotland, is reported to have resulted in him being denied a knighthood in the 1997 and 1998 honours lists. The 69-year-old actor donates £4,800 a month to party coffers.
The then Scottish Secretary Donald Dewar was said to have vetoed Connery's knighthood in December 1997.
'Smack' controversy
At the time, the veteran actor said he was "deeply disappointed but strangely not angry or greatly surprised".
There was further controversy when it was reported that Connery had said at the beginning of his career that it was "okay to smack a woman".