And I told Wills... Film queen Helen Mirren's audience with Her Majesty looks amusing as she recalls moment the prince presented her BAFTA Fellowship Award
- Dame Helen Mirren among 250 stars to be introduced to members of royal family at Buckingham Palace event
- Seen wagging her finger at the Queen following Prince William's comment that he 'should probably call [her] granny'
- Kate joined Her Majesty to meet film royalty during glittering Dramatic Arts Reception
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Prince William described her as 'an extremely talented British actress who I should probably call granny' following her film portrayal of Her Majesty.
Now, it appears Dame Helen Mirren has had words with the real Queen about the moment the Duke of Cambridge presented her with an honorary fellowship award at the BAFTAs last night.
The elegant actress, who could be seen wagging her finger at the head of state, was among around 250 stars to be introduced to members of the royal family personally at a glittering Buckingham Palace this evening.
Speaking about being introduced to Her Majesty, she said: 'You're thinking "its the Queen it's the Queen"' - and when asked if she still got starstruck, she replied: 'Of course, even more so I think because I feel self conscious, you know.'
Having words: Dame Helen Mirren (pictured with Sir David Attenborough, third left) appears to be having words with the Queen about the moment Prince William presented her with a BAFTA fellowship award. She can be seen wagging her finger at the head of state at a glittering reception at Buckingham Palace this evening
Meeting Kate: On Sunday night, Prince William described Dame Helen as 'an extremely talented British actress who I should probably call granny'
Laughing: Dame Helen told a giggling Kate 'Your husband called me granny last night' - to which she replied: 'I know'. Above, the pair share a joke as Sir David looks on
Overwhelmed: Speaking about being introduced to Her Majesty, Dame Helen (pictured above with Kate and Sir David) said: 'You're thinking "its the Queen it's the Queen"'
She added: 'I am genuinely always astounded by her aura, her twinkle, her presence. It never fails to surprise me and again it's what everyone says when they meet her - it was what overwhelmed me the first time I met her.'
Dame Helen then met the Duchess of Cambridge, whom she told: 'Your husband called me granny last night' - to which a giggling Kate replied: 'I know' and revealed he had asked her whether she thought the joke 'appropriate'.
As Dame Helen and other members of film royalty met members of the real royal family, Kate ensured she stood out at the star-studded Dramatic Arts Reception in a vibrant red Alexander McQueen dress.
The Duchess of Cambridge 32, has worn the designer pleated skirt dress on previous occasions, most famously on the royal barge during the Diamond Jubilee river pageant of 2012.
Celebrating the arts: The Duchess of Cambridge joined the Queen at Buckingham Palace this evening for a star-studded event
Re-worked look: Kate accessorised her red dress from Alexander McQueen's spring/summer 2011 collection with a black clutch and heels
The Duchess accessorised with long gold earrings and wore her hair down
On that day she accessorised with her trusty LK Bennett nude heels and a Lock & Co hat. For today's event, hosted by the Queen to celebrate the dramatic arts, she went for a less formal look.
She ditched the hat to let her glossy brown locks fall around her shoulders and substituted a patriotic tartan clutch she carried for the Jubliee event for a plainer black purse and matching black heels. She added an additional new touch to her look with long, gold earrings.
The red dress has been worn by a number of celebrities since it made its debut on the spring/summer 2011 catwalk back in February 2010.
The former X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos wore a sleeveless version of it for the reality show's auditions in July 2011. She wore the piece, with its flattering pleated skirt and neat peplum, with minimal accessories - just black stilettos and a slick of red lipstick finished off the look for Tulisa.
Reality TV queen Kim Kardashian has also been pictured in the dress when out in New York, adding some bling with a jeweled necklace and metallic clutch.
Kate, pictured with Dame Helen Mirren, ditched the hat to let her glossy brown locks fall around her shoulders
The Duchess was introduced to many of the 250 stars present on the night, which celebrated the Queen's 60 years as patron of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
But thankfully none of the Hollywood stars and the giants of British film and theatre who joined the Duchess of Cambridge at Buckingham Palace this evening made the fashion faux pas of wearing the same outfit as style queen Kate.
Actresses Uma Thurman, Joely Richardson, Joan Collins, Gemma Arterton and Dame Angela Lansbury were all present at the glittering Buckingham Palace reception, as well as Sir Roger Moore, Alan Rickman and Ralph Fiennes.
The Duchess was introduced to many of the 250 stars present on a night celebrating the Queen's 60 years as patron of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and the wider contribution that the dramatic arts make to national life.
Inside the White Drawing Room, the Queen greeted a line-up of ten hand-picked celebrities, including Alan Rickman, Sir David Attenborough - representing his brother Richard, Lord Attenborough who was too ill to attend - Miss Marple star Dame Angela Lansbury, actress Jane Horrocks, British film director of 12 Years A Slave Steve McQueen.
Also present was comedian Lenny Henry, who made a joke about Helen Mirren's film performance as the Queen.
The Queen and Kate are pictured before the reception, which was attended by 250 stars
The Queen and the Duchess of Cambridge watch the performance (left) at Buckingham Palace. Right, Kate speaks with a guest at the Dramatic Arts Reception
Pointing to the 87-year-old monarch and joking with McQueen, he said: 'This is Helen Mirren. She's brilliant.'
Actress Jane Horrocks asked the Queen about the honorary BAFTA she was given in April last year and the monarch replied that she saw it all the time. 'I keep it on the TV,' she said.
Afterwards Kate accompanied the Queen, who was wearing a sapphire and diamond brooch that Prince Albert gave to Queen Victoria on her wedding day, into the palace Ballroom to meet the rest of her guests including Uma Thurman, Joely Richardson, Joan Collins, Sir Roger Moore and Ralph Fiennes.
The highlight of the evening was a short performance including a medley of songs from Oh What A Lovely War, Joan Littlewood's satirical anti-war 1963 musical which was turned into a 1969 film by Lord Attenborough, performed by RADA students.
The Queen, Kate and Prince Michael of Kent sat entranced in the front row in the palace ballroom as the students went through their paces after being introduced by Hugh Laurie.
Trevor Eve, One Foot In The Grave star Richard Willson, and Jessie Buckley, the Irish singer, then performed a scene from George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion before young singer Cynthia Erivo belted out a song from The Color Purple and Sir Tom Courtenay recited some lines from The Dresser.
De-ja vu: The Duchess of Cambridge's Alexander McQueen dress has previously been worn in sleeveless form by Kim Kardashian, centre, and Tulisa Contostavlos, right, though 5ft 10in Kate had her version made longer
Fashion fashback: Kate paired the dress with her favourite LK Bennett nude heels and a tartan clutch when she joined Prince William for the Jubliee celebrations in 2012
Dame Helen Mirren came on for the finale, reciting Prospero's Our Revels Now Are Ended speech from Shakespeare's The Tempest, including the famous line: ‘We are such stuff as dreams are made on.’
Some of the biggest Hollywood stars said they felt humbled by going to the palace.
‘It's such a privilege, such an honour. I am chuffed and overwhelmed,’ said Uma Thurman. ‘It's so beautiful. I had to remind myself not to trip because you can be taken in by the beauty of the place.’
‘I had never met the Queen before and now I have. Iyt was a wonderful performance,’ she added. ‘Us Americans, you know. We are all in awe of British actors.’
The invitation to the palace was also the icing on the cake for Bond girl Gemma Arterton. ‘My Mum and Dad were so proud when I got the letter. They said 'you're going to meet the Queen.’
‘I've most of the Royal Family but I'd never met the Queen. Now I've got the full set.’
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