My little life is rounded with this honour': Elegant Dame Helen Mirren quotes Shakespeare as she accepts BAFTA Fellowship from Prince William
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She was the toast of the 2014 BAFTAs after being named as the deserving recipient of the Academy's annual BAFTA Fellowship prize.
And Dame Helen Mirren also proved herself to be a sartorial winner as she arrived at London's Royal Opera House alongside the great and good of the film industry on Sunday night.
Looking the absolute epitome of timeless elegance, the 68-year-old actress positively dazzled as she rocked the red carpet in a dramatic semi-sheer ruffle-skirted gown before accepting her award from Prince William.
Dressed to impress: Dame Helen Mirren certainly proved herself to be a sartorial winner as she arrived at London's Royal Opera House alongside the great and good of the film industry at the BAFTAs on Sunday night
Quoting William Shakespeare's The Tempest as she gave an impassioned acceptance speech, the talented thespian thanked her husband, Taylor Hackford, her first ever drama teacher and notable directors as she took to the stage alongside the royal.
She said: 'I just want to quickly blow a kiss to my husband who can't be here tonight. My journey to this place began with a great teacher, Alice Welding, who died just two weeks ago at age 102.
'She alone was the person who encouraged me to become an actor. And I'd like to thank all those teachers now. My teachers in film of course included directors, several of whom are here today.
Style icon: Looking the absolute epitome of timeless elegance, the 68-year-old actress positively dazzled as she rocked the red carpet in a dramatic semi-sheer ruffle-skirted gown before accepting her award from Prince William
'And all those incredibly carnival of characters that march into battle on any film - I thank you all, it has been an amazing journey up to now. I'm going to finish with the words of a great writer.
'Our revels now are ended. These our actors. As I foretold you, were all spirits, and are melted into air, into thin air; And, like the baseless fabric of this vision. The cloud-capped towers, the gorgeous palaces, the solemn temples, the great globe itself.
'Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve; And, like this insubstantial pageant faded. Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.'
Great Dame: Featuring a daring plunging panel and sleeves, The Queen star's choice of ensemble was adorned with delicate beaded detailing across the arms and chest to preserve her modesty as she worked her magic
Dame Helen completed her speech with: 'My little life is rounded with this honour, thank you so much indeed.'
Featuring a daring plunging panel and sleeves, The Queen star's choice of ensemble was adorned with delicate beaded detailing across the arms and chest to preserve her modesty as she worked her magic in front of the camera.
Making an impact as she joined a stellar line-up of movie stars at the Royal Opera House for the evening, Helen's intricate midnight blue dress was completed with a flattering drop waist and a dramatic ruffle-detail full skirt.
Letting her gown well and truly do the talking, the British actress kept the rest of her look relatively simple, wearing her honey blonde locks tied back from her face in a chic chignon.
National treasure: Making an impact as she joined a stellar line-up of movie stars at the Royal Opera House for the evening, Helen's intricate midnight blue dress was completed with a flattering drop waist and a dramatic ruffle-detail full skirt
The star accentuated her striking features with subtle make-up, and accessorised with a set of glittering diamond drop earrings that framed her face to perfection.
Helen completed her BAFTA look with a small silver clutch bag and plenty of wrist candy in the form of a diamond cuff and numerous jewelled rings.
Arriving at the Royal Opera House on Sunday night, the talented thespian was one of the only attendees to be safe in the knowledge that she already had her award safely in the bag.
Rocking the red carpet: Letting her gown well and truly do the talking, the British actress kept the rest of her look relatively simple, wearing her honey blonde locks tied back from her face in a chic chignon
Shining bright: The star accentuated her striking features with subtle make-up, and accessorised with a set of glittering diamond drop earrings that framed her face to perfection
Joining the likes of Martin Scorsese and Sir Christopher Lee in winning the prestigious prize, Helen said that taking home the BAFTA Fellowship was the 'greatest professional honour' she could ever hope for.
She said: 'This is the greatest professional honour I can imagine, certainly one I never dreamed of as a schoolgirl in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. To join that list of legendary names is overwhelming.'
BAFTA chairman John Willis said: 'Dame Helen Mirren receives the Fellowship as one of the most outstanding actresses of her generation.
'Dame Helen's incredibly successful career is testament to the determination, dedication and skill she brings to each of her roles.'
Royal seal of approval: Helen was presented with her BAFTA Fellowship prize by HRH Prince William
And the winner is...: Dame Helen was one of the only attendees to be safe in the knowledge that she already had her award safely in the bag
Cream of the crop: The British actress looked utterly delighted as she proudly posed with her BAFTA aloft, admitting it was 'the greatest professional honour' she could have ever hoped for
Proud as punch: Helen joined the likes of Martin Scorsese and Sir Christopher Lee in winning the prestigious prize
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2560806/Dame-Helen-Mirren-opts-timeless-elegance-dramatic-semi-sheer-ruffle-skirted-gown-accepts-BAFTA-Fellowship-Prince-William.html#ixzz2tX8DwMxD
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