Mery Streep honoured in Berlin.

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: EDIT CONTAINS USE OF BAD LANGUAGE

Cheers and Valentine's roses for Hollywood's Iron Lady.

Meryl Streep arrived at the Berlin Film Festival red carpet to receive a Golden Bear for her lifetime achievement ... and a lot of flowers.

SOUNDBITE: Meryl Streep, actress and winner of Berlin Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award, saying (English):

"It's overwhelming. I could never have anticipated this twenty years ago, when I thought I was finished because at 40 often actresses are done and for some wonderful reason the world has changed a little and there are more opportunities for women my age and more stories to be told, so I am happy about that, really."

Leaving an excited crowd of Meryl fans behind, inside there were more emotions on show as Berlinale jury member and family friend Jake Gyllenhaal gave a moving speech in Streep's honour.

SOUNDBITE: Jake Gyllenhaal, actor and Berlinale jury member, saying (English):

"I can honestly say that I am grateful she left such an indelible mar on me as a kid, even if she scared the shit out of me sometimes, and the love that I feel for her tonight here in Berlin makes up for whatever I did as a 13-year-old no-good punk. If it doesn't I don't care, she is still the best there is. Ladies and gentlemen it is my great honour to present the honorary Golden Bear for lifetime Achievement to the great, joyous Meryl Streep."

Streep looked overwhelmed and tearful as Berlinale Festival director Dieter Kosslick handed the prize to her.

SOUNDBITE: Meryl Streep, actress and winner of Berlin Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award, saying (English):

"He was a bad influence on my son (referring to Gyllenhaal). I remember the first time I met him, I believe you were not yet 13, you were 12 and he and Henry were pretending to be bartenders at his big sister's Maggie's birthday party, which was a cabaret in the basement of their house in Los Angeles and they were serving cokes and lemonade, they said! - (shakes her head)."

Streep, whose career spans more than 30 years has starred in more than 40 films has won numerous awards, including 2 Oscars and 8 Golden Globes.

She is is now tipped to win her third Academy Award for her turn as British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, so this might not be the last time we've seen Meryl hold something golden in her hand.

Kathi Urban, Reuters