Ananova:

Ray Davies says the Queen shocked him by saying: "I hope they catch the b*****ds who shot you!"

The Kinks singer, who was shot by a mugger in New Orleans last year, told GQ magazine he was amazed.

Ray, 61, said: "I could hardly believe what I'd heard. I had to wash my ears out afterwards."

Their conversation came as he picked up a CBE at Buckingham Palace just two months after the shooting.

Ray says he was flattered and impressed that the Queen knew all about his ordeal.

"She must be remarkably well-briefed. But I suppose that is what she was brought up to do and she does it so well."

Buckingham Palace sources said they were shocked that such language was being attributed to the Queen.

A senior aide said sniffily: "I have never heard the Queen swear in all the time I have been working for her. I think it is highly unlikely that she would ever speak in this manner."