She once worked with Prince – the pop star – but yesterday Mica Paris had a very important date with a princess.
She received her MBE from Princess Anne at Windsor Castle.
Miss Paris, the 1991 hit song “If I love U 2nite” was composed by Prince. She wore a stylish black suit, and with high heels, and an Afro haircut, towered over Anne.
After the investiture, the singer, real name Michelle Wallen, credited her success to her grandmother, who ‘loved what Britain stands for – the monarchy, the Queen’.

Proud: Mica France poses with an MBE after she was conferred it during Wednesday’s investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.
She added: ‘The only thing I’m sad about is that my grandparents aren’t here because they would have been over the moon.
“They arrived in the Windrush generation and raised their entire family there.
“My grandmother used talk about how the country has been good to her. After coming from Jamaica, she owned four properties when she passed away.
She loved the British monarchy and Queen, which gave her success. She opened up the doors and gave me the opportunity to pursue this music career.

Tall order: The singer towered over the Princess Royal as she received her MBE, before crediting her success to her grandmother
“I was 8 years old when I started in the church of my grandparents. They were ministers, and discovered that I have an incredible voice.
“I sang Rupert the Bear and people went insane.” My grandmother became my agent, taking me wherever I needed to go. People began coming from all over the world to hear my voice.
“Then at 17, I signed with Island Records. My first record was released when I was 18. “It has been only 33 years since that happened, and I am very humbled by how fast it all happened.

Fame: Miss Paris was first known for her 1991 hit, If I Love U 2nite. It was written by Prince. Her career highlights included working with Prince and seeing him perform live in concert.
According to the soul singer, the best moments in her life were when she worked with Prince.
She added, “Another highlight was singing for the Prince’s Trust and meeting Diana many years ago.”
‘Diana gave my grandma a bouquet of flowers. She kept those flowers in a book till her death, 10 year ago.
Paris has just released an album called Motown with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. It features songs by late American soul singer Jimmy Ruffin.
Yesterday’s MBE was also received by cellist Sheku Kanneh Mason (22), who played at Windsor at the 2018 wedding of Duke and Duchess.

Proud: Later in the day Mica proudly showed off her honour as she attended a screening of Netflix’s Marriage Story hosted by Alfonso Cuaron

Fantastic four: She was joined by James Henderson, Lisa Butcher and Stuart Watts at the event