Helen Mirren does things her own way. Walking onto the stage for The Late Show on Tuesday night, the actress eschewed the typical handshake/hug greeting and instead went straight for a kiss with host Stephen Colbert. She justified herself afterward.

“If I didn’t do it then, I’d never get to do it,” Mirren said. “So, you know. I have been dreaming about doing that for 15 years so I just grabbed my chance, I’m sorry.”

“Suddenly I can’t remember any questions,” Colbert said. “That’s one of the nicest greetings a guest has ever given me. You know what you’re doing.”

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Colbert did eventually regain his composure enough to ask Mirren about what it means to be a “dame.” Mirren said the designation comes with a big star that can be worn at certain functions. There’s no real American equivalent to the Order of the British Empire, though Mirren noted there should be since “so many Americans do such incredible things.”

“But then we would need a monarchy, and we’re at least nine months away from that,” Colbert said.

Watch the full clip below.