Hollywood star Idris Elba set for 'beyond special' royal honour

Hollywood star Idris Elba and Blur frontman Damon Albarn will be among those honoured at Buckingham Palace later.

Luther star Elba will be awarded an OBE for services to drama, while singer-songwriter Albarn, 47, will receive an OBE for services to music.

Elba, 43, has previously described the honour as "beyond special", saying he could not be more proud to receive the royal recognition.

Also set to be honoured by the Duke of Cambridge is Denis Law, who will be given a CBE for services to football and charity.

The Manchester United and Scotland great said in December that news of the honour had come as "a lovely surprise''.

Law scored 237 goals during his time at United, and rounded off his career by representing Scotland at the 1974 World Cup in West Germany.

The 76-year-old, who recovered from prostate cancer in 2003, will also be recognised for his charity work - having been a fundraiser for Cancer Research UK and a patron for the Meningitis Now charity.

Among other people to be honoured at the ceremony are former chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee Sir Jonathan Day, who will receive a knighthood for public service, and Dr Iain Douglas-Hamilton, founder and CEO of Save the Elephants, who will be given a CBE for services to wildlife conservation.

Ahead of the ceremony Elba tweeted a picture of himself dressed in a dark suit, white shirt and black tie, standing in front of a luxury black car.

He wrote: "Flying the East End flag at Buckingham Palace today!!! OBE Day ... How does the boy look? Feeling Proppa...:)"