FOR most, it's a polite handshake, a curtsey and a 'how do you do?' lasting a few seconds.

When you're Kylie Minogue, things are different. As she collected her OBE from Prince Charles yesterday in the imposing surroundings of the ballroom at Buckingham Palace, the normal rules were forgotten.

First of all, the conversation flowed for an unprecedented 33 seconds (something of a record in investiture terms) as a smiling Charles spoke in hushed tones to the 40-year-old singer.

Royal handshake: A radiant Kylie broke royal protocol by shaking hands with Prince Charles as she received an OBE today at Buckingham Palace.

And Miss Minogue demonstrated a little Australian informality when she said her goodbyes, clutching Charles's outstretched hand in hers - a technical breach of etiquette which left the prince looking delighted.

As to what passed between the prince and the showgirl, she said: 'He just asked what I'm up to at the moment and was happy to see me better,' - a reference to her successful fight against breast cancer.

Miss Minogue, whose hits include I Should Be So Lucky and Can't Get You Out Of My Head, was awarded the OBE for services to music.

'If anyone had told me when I was 14 that one day I would be with my family at Buckingham Palace, I just wouldn't have believed them,' she said.

The diminutive singer wore 5in heels for the ceremony but still had to look up to Charles, who was standing on a podium.

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Spinning around: Kylie takes a moment to pose with the the Beefeaters

The Princess of Pop certainly showed her star quality as she arrived at Buckingham Palace, dressed in an eye-catching Yves Saint Laurent dress, she fairly trotted over the gravel approach in five inch gold heels.

Prince Charles was standing in for the Queen.

The OBE is the latest honour in the 40-year-old's glittering career.

Since getting her big break in Neighbours in the 1980s, she has enjoyed seven UK number ones, a string of hit albums, beaten cancer and even launched her own perfume.

Minogue, from Melbourne, is also the most played female artist on UK radio in the last 20 years.

The eldest of three children, she starred in a several children's TV shows in Australia.

Proud: Kylie shows off her OBE

It was her younger sister Dannii who was initially tipped for big things.

But Kylie's career soon took off as she landed roles in Australian dramas Skyways, The Sullivans and The Henderson Kids.

It was while playing Charlene in the hit soap Neighbours that Minogue won the hearts of the British public.

Her romance, both on and off-screen, with fellow star Jason Donovan captured viewers' imaginations and millions tuned in to see Charlene wed Donovan's character Scott Robinson in 1987.

Minogue became the first actress to win four of Australia's TV Logie Awards on one night and her success on the small screen provided the perfect springboard for a musical career.

Her vocal talents came to light when she was spotted performing Little Eva's The Loco-Motion at a charity event with fellow Neighbours stars.

Family affair: Kylie arrived at the palace with her parents Ron and Carol in tow

A Melbourne record label released the song, which topped the charts in Australia, and British producers Stock, Aitken and Waterman latched on to her talents.

Her debut album, which included The Loco-Motion, I Should Be So Lucky and Je Ne Sais Pas Pourqoi, sold more than five million copies worldwide.

Minogue initially struggled to cast off her girl next door image but the video to 1990's Better The Devil You Know refashioned her as a sexy adult.

Since then, Minogue's successful attempts at recreating herself have kept her at the top of the charts.

A relationship with INXS rock singer Michael Hutchence fuelled her desire to seek greater credibility.

She parted company with Stock, Aitken and Waterman to join dance label Deconstruction, before a dark duet with Nick Cave on Where The Wild Roses Grow further broadened her appeal.

Her eponymous sixth album in 1998 featured collaborations with acts such as The Manic Street Preachers and Brothers in Rhythm, with Minogue penning all the lyrics.

She had continued to pursue her acting interests, starring in movies such as Streetfighter, with Jean Claude Van Damme.

It was the 2000 release of Spinning Around, which shot to number one with the help of a pair of now famous golden hotpants, which secured her spot as one of the world's top performers.

She lit up the closing ceremony of Sydney's Olympics the same year then enjoyed sell-out tours and another global hit Can't Get You Out Of My Head.

In May 2005, Minogue was diagnosed with breast cancer and was forced to put her career on hold.

But she returned to the stage just 18 months later, having undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and used her "time off" to write children's book The Showgirl Princess.

In May this year, she was given the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government for 'contribution to the enrichment of French culture'.