Angelina Jolie has been made an honorary dame by the Queen for her campaigning work fighting sexual violence and brought her family to meet the monarch.

The actor was presented with the award’s insignia during a private Buckingham Palace audience with the Queen and then was joined by her husband, actor Brad Pitt, and their six children.

Jolie was recognised in the honours list and received the honorary damehood for services to UK foreign policy and the campaign to end warzone sexual violence.

The celebrity is known for her Oscar-winning role in Girl Interrupted and blockbuster movies such as Tomb Raider and Mr & Mrs Smith – but running parallel to a successful movie career is her campaigning work as a humanitarian.

The 39-year-old actor has been described by US Secretary of State John Kerry as a “fierce and fearless advocate” and he said her dedication to campaigning could overtake her film roles as her lasting legacy.

The award was first announced in June when Jolie was co-chairing the End Sexual Violence in Conflict (ESVC) global summit in London with then foreign secretary William Hague.

Jolie said at the time: “To receive an honour related to foreign policy means a great deal to me, as it is what I wish to dedicate my working life to.

“Working on the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative and with survivors of rape is an honour in itself. I know that succeeding in our goals will take a lifetime, and I am dedicated to it for all of mine.”

After the presentation took place in the palace’s 1844 room, Pitt and the couple’s six children met the Queen.

As an American citizen the actress cannot become a Dame, but can use the initials of the award after her name.

Honorary damehoods and knighthoods are conferred by the Queen, on the advice of the foreign secretary, on those who have made an important contribution to relations between their country and Britain.