LONDON (AFP) - Prince William revealed on Wednesday that he and his wife Kate are fans of hit US television series Homeland as he awarded its British star Damian Lewis a royal honour at Buckingham Palace.

"He said, Catherine and I are huge Homeland fans," Lewis told reporters after his brief meeting with the royal.

"I'm amazed they have time for that."

Lewis said receiving the Order of the British Empire (OBE) was "a big, big surprise" and said it was a bit like being given additional responsibilities as a school prefect.

"Now I have to be extremely responsible," he said, laughing.

The 43-year-old actor is best known for his role as Marine sergeant Nicholas Brody and was previously in the hit period drama The Forsyte Saga.