The Queen remembered as “the leading star of nations” in moving Baftas tributes

Dame Helen Mirren paid tribute to the Queen as she said she was the “Nation’s Leading Star” at the Bafta Film Awards.

The 77-year-old actress has portrayed the monarch on stage and screen, winning an Oscar and a Bafta for her performance in the 2006 biographical drama The Queen.

The late Queen had a close association with the Academy for over 50 years, giving to and supporting initiatives and attending many events.

Prince William and Kate also made their first Bafta appearance in three years tonight.

The Prince and Princess of Wales walked the red carpet and spoke to the public as they attended the prestigious awards ceremonies.

Speaking on stage at this year’s awards ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall tonight, fellow Bafta member Dame Helen said: “Bafta’s relationship with Her Majesty is long-standing and Bafta would not be what it is today without her staunch support.

“In 1953, her coronation broadcast had the whole world in view. From then on, she was undoubtedly the nation’s leading lady, but as mysterious as a silent film star.

“Who else could meet the most famous singers, actors and performers in the world and make them their supporting cast?

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

The actress also cited the more than 50 cultural organizations the late monarch supported during her lifetime and the Bafta honorary award she received in 2013 in recognition of her “outstanding patronage of the film and television industry”.

Dame Helen continued: “Cinema at its best, does what Her Majesty effortlessly did – brings us together and unites us in one story…

“Your Majesty, you are the star of our nation. On behalf of Bafta, thank you for everything you have done for our film and television industry.’

In 1972 the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh donated the profits from the documentary Royal Family to the Society of Film and Television Arts (SFTA), which later became the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta), for new headquarters.

The organization’s renaming occurred during the official opening of the headquarters in 1976, conducted by the Queen. It remains the London home of Bafta five decades later.

During her lifetime, the Queen was Patron of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, the Royal Variety Charity and the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund.

The Queen’s grandson, the Prince of Wales, has been President of the Bafta since 2010.

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