The 250 guests headed up by the queen of British acting Dame Helen Mirren included an incredible throng of stars from Uma Thurman to Helena Bonham Carter, Roger Moore, Hugh Laurie, Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Joan Collins, John Hurt, Richard E Grant, Stephen Fry, Alan Rickman, Lenny Henry and even Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.
Each were greeted individually by the Queen in the State Dining Room and then seated in the Ballroom for a fabulous programme of performances kicking off with students from Britain’s world famous Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, of which the Queen is Patron, performing songs from the musical Oh! What A lovely War.
Further performances included Sir Tom Courtenay in a recitation from The Dresser, a role he performed on stage and in film, Sir David Attenborough paying tribute to the work of his brother Sir Richard Attenborough, who was too ill to attend and is the President of RADA, and a truly mesmerising turn from Shakespeare’s The Tempest from Dame Helen Mirren.
The Queen and Kate during the performances.
Following the performances, the Queen – who wore a kingfisher blue dress adorned with a sapphire and pearl brooch given to Queen Victoria on her wedding day – and Kate – who recycled a red Alexander McQueen dress previously worn at The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations – chatted to the performers.
Dame Helen Mirren has met The Queen before but told The Weekly: “I am always astounded by her aura, her twinkle, her presence. It never fails to surprise me.”
The actress met The Queen’s grandson Prince William for the first time last night when he presented her with the Fellowship Award at the Baftas and it was the dashing Prince that was the subject of conversation between Dame Helen and the Duchess of Cambridge tonight.
Dame Helen Mirren and the Duchess of Cambridge.
Dame Helen Mirren and the Duchess of Cambridge.
Kate was in excellent spirits at the event.
Kate was in excellent spirits at the event.
Kate was in excellent spirits at the event.
“I was really taken with him. I thought he was absolutely lovely. He wasn’t like a prince at all. He’s a really nice bloke,” Dame Helen told The Weekly.
Prince William had affectionately called Dame Helen “Granny” in his presentation speech, referring to her performances playing the Queen, something Mirren thought was “very sweet” adding: “I’ve also been called ‘Mummy’ by Prince Charles.”
