HM at The Royal Academy

 

Twenty-Four Dame Commanders of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire were among hundreds of people from the arts world who attended a Diamond Jubilee celebration at the Royal Academy of Arts. Rear from left, Dame Evelyn Glennie, Dame Kiri te Kanawa, Dame Jillian Sackler, Dame Vivien Duffield, Dame Liz Forgan, Dame Emma Kirkby. Middle from left, Dame Jacqueline Wilson, Dame Janet Suzman, Dame Diana Rigg, Dame Harriet Walter, Dame Gail Rebuck, Dame Rosalind Savill, Dame Joan Bakewell, Dame Felicity Lott. Front from left, Dame Shirley Bassey, Dame Beryl Grey, Dame Penelope Lively, Dame Antonia Byatt, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Joan Plowright, Dame Antonia Fraser, Dame Fanny Waterman, Dame Janet Baker, Dame Gillian Weir.

The Queen visited the Royal Academy of Arts on Wednesday 23 May. On arrival, Her Majesty was met by the Presidents of the Royal Academy of Arts, Dance, Music and Dramatic Art.

 Her Majesty proceeded to the Weston Gallery, where she heard citations from David Hockney, Matthew Bourne, Sir Derek Jacobi, Dame Kiri te Kanawa and Sir Jonathan Ive to outstanding students.

The Queen presented Diamond Jubilee Awards for those who have made a special contribution to national culture. She toured the Galleries where she met artists, musicians, and the Awards’ benefactors before departing the Royal Academy.