Dick Van Dyke wants a knighthood after latest lifetime achievement award

Dick Van Dyke hopes he gets to make the trip to Buckingham Palace to receive a knighthood from the Queen. (Paul Morigi/Getty Images) — Dick Van Dyke hopes he gets to make the trip to Buckingham Palace to receive a knighthood from the Queen. (Paul Morigi/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Dick Van Dyke has received a tonne of awards during his lengthy and successful career in showbiz — and now he has his eyes on a knighthood.

The 95-year-old star is etched in movie history for his performances in family classics like Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

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While collecting his latest lifetime achievement prize from the Kennedy Center for services to American culture, he told The Mirror that there's another prestigious honour in his sights.

"I think the next thing is a knighthood," said the beloved entertainer.

Watch: Things you might not know about Dick Van Dyke

“I just turned 95, so I’m happy to be anywhere,” he joked at the Kennedy Center ceremony. “Had I known I’d live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself.”

Van Dyke added: "Recognition from your peers is always icing on the cake. How did I get to a Kennedy award? I never trained or did anything. I just enjoyed myself.”

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If Van Dyke were to be honoured by the Queen, he would become one of many Americans from the entertainment world to win honorary knighthoods, including Bob Hope and Steven Spielberg.

Recipients are not able to refer to themselves as Sir or Dame, but may use the post-nominal letters KBE or DBE.

Dick Van Dyke remains best known for playing chimney sweep Bert in 'Mary Poppins'. (Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) — Dick Van Dyke remains best known for playing chimney sweep Bert in 'Mary Poppins'. (Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Silver Screen Collection via Getty Images)

Van Dyke's career started on radio in the 1940s before moving to the Broadway stage, where he would eventually win a Tony Award in 1961 for Bye Bye Birdie.

He shot to more mainstream fame as the star of sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show throughout the 1960s, before moving to the big screen with roles in Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Read more: Van Dyke says sorry for infamous Mary Poppins accent

He would subsequently appear in the 2018 sequel Mary Poppins Returns, in which he portrayed the son of the elderly banker he played under heavy make-up in the original film.

Last year, he made a voice cameo in Showtime comedy series Kidding, which stars Jim Carrey.

Watch: Mary Poppins siblings meet Disney World's take on Mary

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