SCREEN QUEEN 'ELIZABETH II WAS OUR NATION'S LEADING LADY'
OK! UK|March 06, 2023
THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES WERE SITTING FRONT ROW AS THE BAFTAS PAID A TOUCHING TRIBUTE TO THE LATE MONARCH
GEORGIA TREVITT
SCREEN QUEEN 'ELIZABETH II WAS OUR NATION'S LEADING LADY'

The stars were sparkling on the red carpet at this year’s EE Bafta Film Awards, but the night’s biggest honour went to the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was remembered by acting royalty Dame Helen Mirren as the “nation’s leading lady”.

In an emotional tribute, 77-year-old Helen spoke of the royal’s close association with the Academy, which spanned 50 years. “Bafta’s relationship with Her Majesty was long-standing and Bafta would not be what it is today without her loyal support,” she said.

“In 1953, her coronation broadcast had the world watching. From that time, she was unquestionably the nation’s leading lady but as mysterious as a silent film star.

“Who else could meet the world’s most famous singers, actors and performers and turn them into her supporting cast?

“Throughout her 70-year reign, she met cinema’s greatest icons and witnessed the evolution of Hollywood from its golden age to the birth of the blockbuster. Her Majesty was front row for it all.”

Helen, who played Elizabeth II in 2006 biographical drama The Queen, also referenced the 50-plus cultural organisations the royal supported during her lifetime, as well as the honorary Bafta she received in 2013 in recognition for her “outstanding patronage of the film and television industries”.

This story is from the March 06, 2023 edition of OK! UK.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March 06, 2023 edition of OK! UK.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM OK! UKView All
A CITY OF TWO HALVES
OK! UK

A CITY OF TWO HALVES

There's a holiday for every budget to be found in Dubai, as OK!'s Faith Richardson discovered

time-read
3 mins  |
December 02, 2024
'Christmas is a double whammy'
OK! UK

'Christmas is a double whammy'

Chef James Martin on the pressures of dividing his time between his restaurants and his family over the festivities

time-read
4 mins  |
December 02, 2024
LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF
OK! UK

LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF

The festive season can be an incredibly stressful time, particularly for people-pleasers who struggle to put their own needs first

time-read
3 mins  |
December 02, 2024
'There's a bit of faking it until you make it'
OK! UK

'There's a bit of faking it until you make it'

Actor Paul Mescal on entering the Gladiator II arena, building a blockbuster body for his role as fighter Lucius Verus, and heading up an A-list cast of Hollywood's finest stars

time-read
4 mins  |
December 02, 2024
THE A-LIST HAIL HOLLYWOOD'S BIG HITTERS
OK! UK

THE A-LIST HAIL HOLLYWOOD'S BIG HITTERS

A line-up of the film world's best-known faces attended this year's Governors Awards to celebrate lifetime achievements

time-read
4 mins  |
December 02, 2024
'I think we arrived right on time'
OK! UK

'I think we arrived right on time'

The stars of the long-awaited film Wicked, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, tell us why its themes are so relevant right now and why the musical is so dear to their hearts

time-read
6 mins  |
December 02, 2024
'No one knows who I am'
OK! UK

'No one knows who I am'

Having first found fame on social media, GK Barry has become the breakout star of this year's I'm A Celebrity

time-read
5 mins  |
December 02, 2024
'I still pinch myself about how we met'
OK! UK

'I still pinch myself about how we met'

Now legally married, MAFS Uk’s Adam and Tayah Aveling are looking forward to Christmas with their daughter and welcoming baby number two in 2025

time-read
7 mins  |
December 02, 2024
THE ROYAL WEEK
OK! UK

THE ROYAL WEEK

It was a sad week for Queen Camilla, but a good week for the royal family’s charities with visits to hospitals and homeless centres

time-read
2 mins  |
December 02, 2024
WILLIAM AND KATE'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS
OK! UK

WILLIAM AND KATE'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS

After a challenging year for the royal family, the Prince and Princess of Wales plan to give their children an unforgettable time filled with fun and festivities

time-read
6 mins  |
December 02, 2024