Mel B received royal honours early May in the first major inauguration at Buckingham Palace since the start of the pandemic.
The Spice Girl, 46, who was accompanied by proud mum Andrea, was named in the New Year Honours for services to charitable causes and vulnerable women.
On her special day at the Queen’s London residence, where she was appointed an MBE by Prince William, the singer looked stunning in a red dress – designed by fellow Spice Girl Victoria Beckham – an accompanying headpiece and white heels.
Melanie Brown, who was also wearing jewellery by Robinson Pelham, kept a huge smile on her face as she proudly received the reputable accolade from the Duke Of Cambridge (Prince William), after presenting him her best curtesy.
The Woman’s Aid patron dedicated her MBE to other people who suffered in abusive relationships.
‘I thought about all the women I’ve met over the past few years who have been through terrible situations, women who have died, women who are still suffering.This, for me, was all about them. It still is.’ She said.
She continued: ‘Receiving that letter telling me about the MBE… it was the first time I thought that I’d done something.
‘Not as a Spice Girl, but as Melanie Brown – this working-class, mixed-race kid from Leeds who has always done her own thing, regardless.That made me feel incredibly proud of myself, of all women who’ve been through similar experiences and of all the people who have helped me along this path.’
Melanie split from her film producer ex-husband Stephen Belafonte in 2017 after a decade.
She claimed in her 2018 memoir Brutally Honest that she had suffered abuse – allegations Belafonte has repeatedly denied.
Mel’s father Martin died from cancer following an eight-year illness in 2017.
