19 February 2023 , 19:52
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Dame Helen Mirren paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II at the BAFTAs on Sunday evening, with Prince William looking emotional over the nod to his late grandmother.
The 77-year-old actress famously took on the role of the Queen in the biographical drama film, The Queen, in 2006.
She even won a BAFTA award for her portrayal of her.
Dame Helen also won an Academy Award for Best Actress, a Critics' Choice Movie Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award and more for portraying the monarch, who died at the age of 96 in September.
During the annual awards show, held at the Royal Festival Hall in London, Helen took to the stage to pay tribute to the late monarch.
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She said: "BAFTAs relationship with Her Majesty was long-standing and BAFTA would not be what it is today without her loyal support.
"She supported over 50 cultural organisations and in 2013 it was her time to be honoured with a BAFTA in recognition of the Queens' outstanding patronage to film and television industries."
(BBC)"Cinema as its best does what Her Majesty did effortlessly bring us together and unite us in a story," she added.
In a voice over the late Queen could be heard saying: "Through the creative genius of artists whether they be writers, actors film makers d or m we can see both the range of our cultures and elements of our shared humanity."
Helen concluded: "Your Majesty you were our nation's leading star on behalf of BAFTA thank you for all you have done for our film and television industry."
Prince William, who was watching in the audience with Kate Middleton, looked emotional as he listened to the tribute.
William was joined by Kate at the BAFTAs (BBC)The BAFTA Film Awards revealed Helen would be giving a speech earlier this week.
In a press release advertising the tribute, BAFTA explained: "A tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is to be led by BAFTA Fellow Dame Helen Mirren.
"The Queen occupies a unique place in BAFTA’s history, a close association that spanned 50 years.
Helen portrayed the Queen in 2006 (Unknown)"Through her various patronages, The Queen was renowned for her support of the UK’s creative industries."
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The actress was also involved in Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations last year, along with Ant and Dec, Ed Sheeran and George Ezra.
Meanwhile, Kate Middleton and Prince William attended the glitzy awards ceremony for the first time in three years tonight.
The royal couple last attended the event in person in 2020 with William, the BAFTA president, last year recording a video message in his place in which he congratulated those nominated.
The Queen had a close association with the Academy which spanned 50 years and saw her donate and support initiatives, as well as attend many events over the years.
The Queen had a close association with the Academy (PA)In 1972, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh donated the profits from the documentary film Royal Family to the Society of Film and Television Arts (SFTA), which later became the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), for a new headquarters.
The renaming of the organisation occurred during the official opening of the headquarters in 1976, which was conducted by The Queen, and remains the London home of Bafta five decades on.
During her lifetime, The Queen was a patron of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, the Royal Variety Charity and the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund.
In April 2013, the Queen received an honorary BAFTA award from Sir Kenneth Branagh at Windsor Castle for her "tireless support" for the industry.