We are bemused! Prince Philip can't take his eyes off Grayson Perry as eccentric artist welcomes the Queen to the Royal Academy of Arts

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He's known for his colourful dress sense.

And artist Grayson Perry certainly caught the eye of the Queen and Prince Philip as they enjoyed an event at the Royal Academy Of Arts on Tuesday evening.

The cross-dressing ceramicist, who was dressed in a pink and red chiffon and silk dress, gave a speech as part of the event to honour five individuals who have made a national contribution to the visual arts or architecture.

All ears: Artist Grayson Perry certainly caught the eye of the Queen and Prince Philip as they enjoyed an event at the Royal Academy Of Arts on Tuesday evening

Grayson, 56, a member of the Royal Academy, welcomed the royals to the famed London venue, towering over the Queen in his signature platform heels. 

The monarch, patron of the Royal Academy, honoured five artists with awards in recognition of their work in their respective fields.

Awards were given to architect David Adjaye, Whitechapel Gallery director Iwona Blazwick, artist Cornelia Parker, photographer Martin Parr and Chris Fisher, an artist and teacher at the Royal College of Art and Goldsmiths.

VIPs: The cross-dressing ceramicist, who was dressed in a pink and red chiffon and silk dress greeted the royal couple as they arrived

Colourful: Grayson chose a hot pink tiered dress for the big night, emblazoned with a smiling print and teamed with purple platforms

Each was nominated by a member of the Royal Academy of Arts - including Grayson, artist Chantal Joffe, architect Farshid Moussavi.

Rod Stewart and his wife Penny Lancaster were among the VIP guests at the event, in what capped a royal day out for the rocker.  

The newly-titled Lady Penny Lancaster spoke of her joy at her husband Sir Rod being knighted on Tuesday as she appeared on Loose Women on Wednesday.

In the spotlight: The artist introduced the honourees as the Queen looked on

He's got sole! The cross-dressing ceramicist was in a particularly eye-catching look complete with his signature platform heels

Specs appeal: Grayson threw on a stylish pair of spectacles for his big moment on the stage

The 45-year-old said her their two sons, Alistair, 10, and five-year old Aiden, couldn't quite believe they got to go to Buckingham Palace to see their father being honoured by Prince William for his services to music and charity.

She said: 'The boys were hanging onto him for dear life afterwards.;

'They were so proud.' 

Delighted! Rod Stewart and his wife Penny Lancaster were among the VIP guests at the event, in what capped a royal day out for the rocker

Quick chat: Statuesque Penny leaned down to speak with the monarch during their exchange

Proud moment: Rod was joined by model wife Penny and their two children, Alistair and Aiden, at Buckingham Palace earlier in the day for his knighthood

Fearful that they might be late to the occasion, Penny revealed the family checked into a hotel nearby the night before, to make sure they were punctual as they live two hours out of London.

She said: 'Rod was singing, "I'm getting knighted in the morning," on our way there. 

'I read a book to Aiden about Paddington Bear going to see the Queen the night before, so when we got there, he was so excited.'

Loving life: The 45-year-old said her their two sons couldn't quite believe they got to go to Buckingham Palace to see their father being honoured for his services to music and charity

Delighted: She sipped from a mug which had the word 'Lady' scrawled on the front

She said: 'The boys were hanging onto him for dear life afterwards. They were so proud'

She said: 'Rod was singing, "I'm getting knighted in the morning," on She said: 'Rod was singing, "I'm getting knighted in the morning," on our way there

Adding: 'I read a book to Aiden about Paddington Bear going to see the Queen the night before, so when we got there, he was so excited'

While Rod wore a military style jacket and tartan trousers, complete with quirky shoes for the occasion, Penny said her boys like to dress up too. 

'They loved wearing their suits,' she told the panel. 'They love dressing up like their fathers.'

Penny also said that while she couldn't hear what Prince William was saying when he knighted Rod, her husband filled her in afterwards. 

Arise! The day before, Rod was once again joined by his model wife and their two children as he received his Knighthood in recognition of his services to music and charity

Wow thing: Penny looked incredible in a snakeskin shirt worn with a metallic pencil skirt

'William said to him, "My brother and I think it's so well-deserved to get this honour," she revealed.

Adding: 'Later on, we saw the Queen who was at the Royal Academy Of Arts and she congratulated Rod.'  

The 71-year-old rocker shed the tartan trousers he wore earlier in the day at Buckingham Palace as he sported a slick black suit while Penny, 45, got racy in a leopard print mini dress by Dolce and Gabbana and a fur stole.  

A beaming queen: As they headed into the event ahead of Queen Elizabeth, she was hot on their trail looking in high spirits while sporting an exquisite jacquard two-piece cream suit

While Rod looked slick in a black suit, Penny slipped into a super sexy leopard print gown paired with a stunning black fur stole, while boosting her height with a pair of staggering heels. 

Her blonde tresses were coiffed to perfection as she glowed, no doubt joyous in the wake of her husband's mammoth achievement.  

As they headed into the event ahead of Queen Elizabeth, the royal was hot on their heels looking in high spirits while sporting an exquisite jacquard two-piece cream suit.

Paired with the ensemble was her favoured underarm handbag in a patent black leather alongside matching heels. She also wore elegant beige gloves.  

Smiles all around: The beaming monarch looked overjoyed to be attending the ceremony as she greeted waiting guests with a warm handshake followed by her husband

The beaming monarch looked overjoyed to be attending the ceremony as she greeted waiting guests with a warm handshake followed by her husband. 

Further celebrity arrivals at the bash included David Walliams who was joined by his beloved mother Kathleen, who looked dazzling in a lace purple dress. 

Rod and Penny were undoubtedly overwhelmed by their day of royalty, as they not only rubbed shoulders with the Queen but also her grandson.  

Smiley as ever: Paired with the ensemble was her favoured underarm handbag in a patent black leather alongside matching heels. She also wore elegant beige gloves

Arrival of the day: Queen Elizabeth was surrounded by her aides and her husband ahead of the ceremony 

Your public awaits: The Royal couple gleefully greeted attendees as they arrived at the event

Mother and son: Further celebrity arrivals at the bash included David Walliams who was joined by his beloved mother Kathleen, who looked dazzling in a lace purple dress

Fit for a Queen: The monarch was prized with a pair of stunning purple flowers 

Earlier in the day, Rod was once again joined by his model wife and their two children as he received his Knighthood in recognition of his services to music and charity.

The veteran rocker was bestowed the honour by Prince William at Buckingham Palace following a decades spanning career that began in the early '60s with little known rhythm and blues group The Dimensions.

Arriving on the arm of his statuesque wife and joined by sons Alistair, 10, and five-year old Aiden, Rod was in characteristically high spirits as he prepared to accept his award.

This is for you: It was a proud moment for Rod as the second in line to the throne awarded him his medal

One is ecstatic: On his meeting with Prince William, he later said 'We talked about music and he said "It's great that you're still going" and I said: 'I have to - I've got eight children!'

Delighted: The rocker posed for photos after receiving his honour from the Duke of Cambridge

Oooh la la: Rod strikes a pose clutching his medal as he leaves the Palace with Penny

The singer, who was born in affluent North London suburb Highgate to a Scottish father and English mother, acknowledged his Celtic heritage by sporting a pair of colourful Tartan trousers for his meeting with Prince William.

Standing alongside her diminutive husband, Penny, 45, caught the eye in a faux-fur stole and thigh-skimming floral print dress. 

The model and presenter teamed her elegant ensemble with a delicate netted fascinator and strappy peep toe heels. 

Behind every great woman...: Queen Elizabeth II's husband followed closely behind her

The rocker later said he wished his parents were there to see him receive a Knighthood, as the Duke of Cambridge congratulated him at Buckingham Palace. 

Reflecting on his meeting with the Prince, he said: 'We talked about music and he said "It's great that you're still going" and I said: 'I have to - I've got eight children!

'He congratulated me on my long career - and I said how happy this made me. I just wish my mum and dad had been here to see it.' 

Big day: Rod looked delighted as he reflected on his meeting with the Prince shortly after receiving his Knighthood 

Quality time: The family posed for pictures in the grounds of Buckingham Palace 

All mine: The proud star showed off his medal with members of the press on Tuesday afternoon

Sir Rod will meet the Queen later at a reception at the Royal Academy of Arts - her first public engagement in London since returning to Buckingham Palace after spending the summer at her Scottish residence.

The singer disagreed with comments from Liverpool's first black footballer, Howard Gayle, that the word "Empire" should be removed from honours titles, saying: 'The Empire's not quite as big as it used to be, but it's still there, so I'm all for keeping the Empire.' 

Rod previously described the award as a "monumental honour". 

In good company: Arriving on the arm of statuesque Penny, Rod was in characteristically high spirits as he prepared to accept his honour

Suited and booted: Alistair, ten, and five-year old Aiden were dressed for the occasion 

Great Scot: Rod, who was born in affluent North London suburb Highgate to a Scottish father and English mother, acknowledged his Celtic heritage by sporting a pair of colourful Tartan trousers for his meeting with Prince William

Looking ahead: Sir Rod will meet the Queen later at a reception at the Royal Academy of Arts - her first public engagement in London since returning to Buckingham Palace after spending the summer at her Scottish residence

Regret: The rocker later said he wished his parents were there to see him receive a Knighthood

Picture of elegance: Penny caught the eye in a faux fur stole and thigh-skimming floral dress

He said: 'I've led a wonderful life and have had a tremendous career thanks to the generous support of the great British public.

'This monumental honour has topped it off and I couldn't ask for anything more. I thank Her Majesty and promise to wear it well.' 

Elsewhere British actor David Oyelowo was given an OBE for his services to drama. 

That's my boy! David Walliams' mum Kathleen looked on with pride as her son met the Queen

Social butterfly: Queen Elizabeth II was also seen greeting veteran comedian Lenny Henry

Touched: Annie Lennox appeared touched to be meeting the monarch as they enjoyed a chat

Bow down: Richard E. Grant bowed graciously in front of her as the pair shook hands

Let's hug it out! Funnyman David affectionately hugged his mother as they posed with Lenny

Big day out! The stars appeared to be in jovial spirits as they gathered for a group shot

 He's such a ham! Screen star Richard also got playful as he hammed it up for the cameras

The Queen Of Katwe star has said receiving the honour years after being given a Prince's Trust grant to join a youth theatre production felt like a "full-circle moment".

He said: 'To be honoured by the Queen in this way having been aided by her son's charity feels like a beautiful full-circle moment.'

Others to be honoured included Vanessa Kingori, publisher of British GQ, who was given an MBE for services to the media industry, and Professor Nick Webborn, who received an OBE for services to Paralympic Sports Medicine and the British Paralympic Association.

Top honour: Elsewhere British actor David Oyelowo was given an OBE for his services to drama

Privilege:  Others to be honoured included Vanessa Kingori, publisher of British GQ, who was given an MBE for services to the media industry

Loved ones: David was joined by his family after he received his Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Special: Professor Nick Webborn received an OBE for services to Paralympic Sports Medicine and the British Paralympic Association