Her Majesty The Queen at Windsor Castle, has been given an honorary BAFTA at a reception for the British film industry.

The Queen was presented the award by Sir Kenneth Branagh on 4 April 2013.

BAFTA’s chairman at the time, John Willis, praised the Queen’s “tireless support” for the industry, adding: “More recently Her Majesty the Queen starred at the London Olympics as the most memorable Bond girl yet.

“I am delighted that this evening has given us the opportunity to give something back. I have the great honour to announce that we are to present Her Majesty with an honorary BAFTA today, in recognition of her outstanding patronage of the film and television industries.

“We should be proud of our industry. The people here this evening represent a vast variety of skills and ground breaking innovation; they have entertained and informed a generation and inspired generations to come.”

Long-standing support

The Queen’s support through her various patronages of industry organisations has long been recognised. She has been patron of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, the Entertainment Artistes’ Benevolent Fund, and the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund (for which money has been raised by Royal Film Performances) since 1952.

Over the years, The Queen has visited countless film and television organisations, supporting their efforts by shining a light on the work they do. More recently, The Queen starred in the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games alongside Daniel Craig as James Bond.

In the early 1970s, Her Majesty The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh made the generous decision to gift the royalties from Richard Cawston’s documentary Royal Family to BAFTA. This enabled the organisation to move into its famous headquarters at 195 Piccadilly, which has remained its home ever since.

BAFTA has enjoyed a long history of involvement and support from the Royal Family, dating from 1959 when HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, was appointed its first President. Since then, The Earl Mountbatten of Burma (The Duke’s uncle) and HRH Princess Anne, The Princess Royal have been Presidents of the Academy. HRH Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge, became its fifth President in 2010, a post he currently holds.