KYLIE MINOGUE - KYLIE MINOGUE TO VISIT PALACE FOR OBE CEREMONY

Kylie Minogue is to be appointed an OBE at Buckingham Palace later today.

The Australian singer, 40, will receive the honour from Prince Charles at an investiture ceremony this afternoon.

After her OBE was confirmed in the New Year's Honours List last December, she commented: "I feel deeply touched to be acknowledged by the UK, my adopted home, in this way."

The former Neighbours star recently received a similarly prestigious endowment from the French government in May, having been awarded the Order of Arts and Letters, the country's highest cultural honour.

She successfully battled breast cancer after being diagnosed with the disease in 2005 but was last year forced to deny rumours that she had cancelled a 2008 world tour due to concerns over her health.

Her spokeswoman explained that a tour this year had never been planned, so could not be cancelled.

Though not born in the UK, Minogue is permitted to receive an OBE as Australia remains part of the British Commonwealth.

Other celebrities to be honoured at today's ceremony include World Cup-winning rugby player Jason Robinson.

The former Wigan and Sale winger will receive an OBE for services to sport, having made his mark in both rugby league and rugby union.