Adele had an encounter with royalty Thursday morning at Buckingham Palace in London, as she received a special honor from Prince Charles.

According to People magazine, the singer appeared at an investiture ceremony inside the palace ballroom, and His Royal Highness presented her with her MBE, which stands for Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.  Charles pinned the medal — for "services to music" — on her dark, patterned long-sleeved Stella McCartney dress, and People reports that they also enjoyed a brief chat.  Adele then curtseyed, walked away and laughed, presumably in reaction to the surreal moment.

According to People, Charles was standing in for his mum, Queen Elizabeth II, who was on her way to the Royal Family's holiday retreat to prepare for Christmas.