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Oops! Une grande gaffe as French drop Mademoiselle Minogue's 'knighthood'

Last updated at 09:14am on 07.05.08

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Kylie Minogue has been honoured with France's most prestigious cultural award in a ceremony in Paris today.

The pint-sized pop star was made a knight in the Order of Arts and Letters for her "contribution to the enrichment of French culture".

But before Kylie could proudly accept the medal, the French minister of culture and communications dropped it on the floor and embarrassingly had to stoop down to pick it up.

Onlookers tried to keep straight faces but Kylie lightened the mood by laughing off the gaffe and the ceremony carried on.

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Oops...The French minister for culture looks mortified as she drops the medal at Kylie's feet but the pop star just keeps smiling

Oh what a knight: Kylie Minogue received the Chevalier dans l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres during a ceremony in Paris today

Kylie, dressed in a little black frock and towering peep toe heels, beamed as she accepted the award from Christine Albanel.

In a statement, Kylie said: “I am deeply honoured to be recognised in this way.

"French culture has influenced me greatly and I have always had colossal respect for the arts and people of France”.

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Pride: Beaming Kylie shows off her medal yesterday...after it was retrieved from the floor

Previous recipients of the Chevalier dans l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres include Ella Fitzgerald, Bob Dylan, Uma Thurman and David Bowie.

Mademoiselle Minogue became very well acquainted with Paris during her high-profile romance to French model-actor Oliver Martinez and looked very at home as she waved to crowds upon her arrival today.

She also stayed in the city during while she was treated for breast cancer and frequently returns for weekend breaks.

The singer, who rings in her 40th birthday this month, is also launching her X 2008 tour in Paris tomorrow.