Sir Michael Parkinson defended Peter Phillip and Autumn Kelly's controversial Royal wedding picture deal with Hello! today as he collected his knighthood from the Queen.

The chat show host, who employs Autumn as his personal assistant, said there was 'nothing wrong with it'.

Speaking after he collected his knighthood for his services to television, the 72-year-old presenter said: 'I don't think it was the wrong decision.

'I don't understand what's wrong with it.'

Honour: Michael Parkinson receives a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace today

Last month the Royal Family came under fire for their decision to pocked £500,000 as part of an exclusive deal with Hello magazine which gave them exclusive rights to the ceremony at St Georges Chapel, Windsor.

The Queen and Prince Phillip refused to pose for the photographs but could clearly be seen in the centre of some of the images.

At the time several MPs and commentators described the Queen as looking like a 'WAG' a said the Royal Family had made a 'serious error of judgement.'

But yesterday Sir Michael strongly defended their decision.

Oh what a knight: The TV presenter called the honour a 'wonderful surprise'

He said: 'Anyone else in their position would have done the same. They're both very happy about it all. I don't think she (Autumn) cares about all the fuss.

'They are a lovely young couple who are very much in love. We are looking forward to seeing them when they come back from their honeymoon at the end of this week.'

The presenter, who retired from his chat show at the end of last year, said he told the Queen he had had 'a blast' at the wedding.

He said: 'She asked me what I thought about the wedding and told her I thought it was glorious, a wonderful, wonderful, occasion.

'We talked about that wonderful church, that chapel, St George's Chapel in Windsor, and I told her that I enjoyed it, who wouldn't?"

All smiles: Sir Michael accompanied by his proud wife Mary

When asked whether he had danced with the Queen he said he hadn't but had the reception at the same time as her.

He said: 'I left with the Monarch. I'm too old now, she left in good time, about 10.30pm and I left shortly after her.'

He said he couldn't understand why he had been given the award and added 'possibly it's because I'm charming.'

Sir Michael, who was one of a number of high

'Why they gave it to me I don't know.' he said. 'Possibly it's because I'm charming.

'I've got a knighthood for doing a job I've always wanted to do.'

He later joked that the award would 'be on eBay later'.

Bright spark: Chief executive of Marks & Spencer Sir Stuart Rose

Sir Michael retired from his chat show Parkinson at the end of last year and also gave up presenting his Radio 2 slot.

He is currently writing his autobiography and making a film of his most memorable interviews on his chat show.

Among the high profile figures to be knighted yesterday was Stuart Rose, chief executive of Marks and Spencer, who received the honour for his services to the retail industry and corporate social responsibility.

Sir Stuart, who made his name by turning the struggling retail chain around, praised his colleagues on receiving the award.

He said: 'I'm just the leader of a very good team.'