Dame Helen Mirren leads moving tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at the BAFTAs

Bethan Rose Jenkins
·1-min read
helen mirren queen baftas
Dame Helen Mirren leads BAFTA tribute to Queen Stuart Wilson/BAFTA - Getty Images

Dame Helen Mirren lead a moving tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II at the British Academy of Film and Television Awards on Sunday (19 February).

The star took to the stage to lead the official tribute before the audience, which included the Prince and Princess of Wales on the front row.

During a speech, Dame Helen referred to Her Majesty as “our nation’s leading star” and said she was “unquestionably the nation’s leading lady but as mysterious as a silent film star."

helen mirren bafta queen tribute
Kate Green/BAFTA - Getty Images

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

A slideshow of images played during her message, including footage of Queen Elizabeth II receiving her own honorary BAFTA at Windsor Castle in 2012. It was presented to Her Majesty by Sir Kenneth Branagh, in recognition of her outstanding patronage of the film and television industries.

Dame Helen was absent from the red carpet but appeared on stage to deliver the tribute, and looked stunning in a floating, sheer layered dress with caped sleeves.

helen mirren bafta queen tribute
Antony Jones/BAFTA - Getty Images

The floor-length black dress featured silver embellishments along the shoulders and down the length of the gown. Helen paired the dress with statement earrings and styled her hair in a chic bun, adding a swipe of warm, pink-red lipstick.

After Helen Mirren's own tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, a voice over from Her Majesty herself played over images of stars of the screen, some photographed with their BAFTA awards.

You Might Also Like

Latest stories

  • Xi snubbed Putin after their summit, calling a meeting of Central Asian countries as part of an audacious power play

    China's leader, Xi Jinping, appears to be using the leverage he has gained over Russia in the wake of the Ukraine war.

  • Report Signals Humiliating End for Russia’s Shadow Army in Ukraine

    Reuters/Misha Japaridze/Pool/File PhotoYevgeny Prigozhin is preparing to pull his Wagner Group mercenaries’ attention away from the war in Ukraine, according to a Bloomberg report that cites sources familiar with the matter.His current plan is to focus the private mercenaries’ focus back to countries in Africa, such as Sudan, Mali, and the Central African Republic, where Wagner has deployed forces. On Monday, Wagner posted a recruitment notice offering deployments to African countries that would

  • Pictured: Model and landlady Jodie Kidd poses naked for new signs outside pub

    A model has shocked regulars at her pub by posing naked for new signs.

  • Son of famed restauranteur dies in freak escalator fall at Rangers game

    ‘We have no idea what happened, but they do,’ widow’s lawyer says

  • Martin Lewis urges mobile phone users to send two texts to cut costs ahead of April price hikes

    The money saving expert has offered advice as mobile and broadband users are set to be hit with hikes of up to 17.3%

  • Witnesses Unravel the Chinese Mass Murder Mystery That Could Ruin Putin

    Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/ReutersEKOK, Cameroon—It was just before 5 a.m. local time when two pickup trucks allegedly carrying mercenaries from the Russian Wagner Group pulled up in front of Zaza and five other men, who were patrolling the areas near the Chimbolo gold mine in the Central African Republic.The vigilantes—who are among hundreds of men drawn from the Chimbolo village to prevent hoodlums and robbers from attacking the buildings and electrical installations

  • The Big Bang Theory's Kaley Cuoco wore a pantsless, see-through dress and fans lost it

    'Flight Attendant' and 'Big Bang Theory' actress Kaley Cuoco went viral when an old photo popped up on Instagram of her see-through lace dress. See pictures and read how fans reacted to it.

  • Rod Stewart shares big career news after falling ill

    Last week, Rod Stewart confirmed that he had pulled out of an appearance with Cyndi Lauper as he contracted a viral infection that affected his ability to sing. However, on Thursday, the 'Maggie May' hitmaker revealed a series of gigs that he would be playing during the summer – and he would be joined by another music icon. Taking to his social media pages, Rod confirmed that he would be appearing alongside Boy George and Culture Club for a series of six dates running from 24 June to 6 July. WAT

  • 10 times celebrities talked about what it's really like to wear daring fashion

    Celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Bella Hadid have spoken about daring outfits they've worn.

  • Aggressive passenger tazed and removed from flight

    This is the moment a passenger was confronted by airline staff for swapping seats before takeoff on a Jetstar flight from Perth to Melbourne on March 18. When 30-year-old Bolic Bet Malou refused to return to his seat, police were called and the ensuing confrontation ended with him being tazed.

  • Matt Baker's incredible tribute after heartbreaking death revealed

    Matt Baker loves animals and has often been pictured with one of his pet dogs throughout the years. It's no wonder, then that one of his memorable canine companions – and beloved Blue Peter co-star – Meg left a particular hole in his heart after she died. But as the presenter revealed in an interview with the Radio Times a few years ago, the border collie has been immortalised in the BBC archives. WATCH: Countryfile's Matt Baker flooded with support as he shares family news The doting dad-of-two

  • Did Boris Johnson deliberately mislead parliament? Have your say in our poll

    The former prime minister will be questioned for around four hours by the Commons Privileges Committee

  • Why Michael Schumacher's wife Corinna fights to keep updates on husband a secret

    Michael Schumacher's wife Corinna has been unable to go out in almost a decade, according to a family friend. The partner of the racing legend, who suffered brain injury in a ski accident back in 2013, has worked hard to protect her husband's privacy since the tragic event, with their friend admitting it has made her "like a prisoner". Speaking to The Sun Online, Eddie Jordan explained: "This was the most horrific situation for Mick and Corinna. It's been nearly ten years now and Corinna has not

  • Ukraine says Russian forces leave southern town; Russia denies it

    "As of 22nd March 2023, all units of the occupying army that had been deployed in the town of Nova Kakhovka in Kherson region, have left the city," the General Staff said in its evening report outlining conditions on the front lines. Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-installed governor of Kherson region, denied the report.

  • Woman, 24, who threw toilet water in officer's face is sentenced

    She cupped water from the cell toilet and threw it in the officer's face

  • The Chase contestant dies a week after episode shown on TV

    Debbie's husband shared the news she had died after a 17 year battle with cancer.

  • Halle Berry poses naked for shower selfies that cause a stir

    Halle Berry is feeling her best self on social media, taking to Instagram to share a pair of selfies that highlighted her natural beauty. The snaps saw her simply pose in front of the mirror of her shower, fogged up to carefully blur out everything except for the actress and the tight curls in her hair. Halle stunned her fans with a pair of nude shower selfies However, what really turned up the heat for the images was that the star appeared to be posing completely naked, again making use of the

  • Off-duty pilot flying as passenger takes over plane after captain becomes incapacitated mid flight

    Flight returns to Las Vegas two hours after taking off due to onboard medical emergency

  • Private Chat Leaks Show Moscow Officials in State of Panic Over Putin Arrest Warrant

    Kremlin via ReutersWhile Moscow has publicly dismissed the Hague’s arrest order for Vladimir Putin as nothing more than a meaningless piece of paper, some government officials reportedly descended into a full-blown panic in private chats after the news broke—with some wondering if they’d become the next Heinrich Himmler and Joseph Goebbels.That’s according to a new report from the independent outlet Verstka, which spoke with sources close to the Kremlin and several sources in parliament about th

  • Strictly's Janette Manrara shows off blossoming baby bump in figure-skimming dress

    Janette Manrara looked absolutely beautiful as she showcased her blossoming baby bump on Lorraine this week. Speaking about her baby joy alongside husband Aljaz Skorjanec, the Strictly Come Dancing star – who is pregnant with her first child – stunned in a black and blush pink ombre dress by Bar III. See what happened during Janette and Aljaz's appearance The chic ensemble, made from mesh material, boasted a high neckline and a floaty hemline, which showcased her gorgeous physique perfectly. "He