Shilpa goes before the Queen

Remember the Audrey Hepburn film My Fair Lady - there's this scene where she's presented to the Queen and everyone is bowled over by her grace. Actress Shilpa Shetty tried to do a Hepburn at Westminster Abbey on the occasion of Commonwealth Day. And almost failed.

While attempting to curtsey before the British monarch, Shilpa nearly slipped because of her high heels. But the Duke of Edinburgh was at hand to warn Shilpa of the danger.

The 31-year-old winner of Celebrity Big Brother was one of five speakers to address the gathering on inter-racial respect and understanding. She spoke on the importance of tolerance and was all praises for the Queen's smile.

Shilpa, clad in a purple ensemble designed by Tarun Tahiliani, said she was happy no police charges had been brought against the other Big Brother housemates.

I just want to say it was a reality show. Too much was made of it

And how she was aware of the different kinds of people everywhere -

As a child growing up in Bombay, I was aware of the vastness of India and of its incredible diversity.

And how the right to live with dignity was most important of all -

In India, in the UK, and the world over we are constantly reminded that we have to cope with difference on a daily basis. It is every human being's inalienable right to live with dignity. Differences must be overcome.

The crowning moment in Shilpa Shetty's life came after she spent nearly a month ensconced in the Big Brother house where she displayed Gandhian virtues in the face of racial abuse and became the most recognised Indian face on the British Isles.

Don't know if she learnt anything else other than the meaning of the word 'punani' in there - after all Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O'Meara did show her how they could fart, snore and giggle at the same time.

FULL COVERAGE (on this blog)
Shilpa Shetty in Big Brother