The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) has led tributes from the industry to Queen Elizabeth II, who has died today (September 8) at the age of 96.
In a joint statement from interim CEO Kevin Price and chair Krishnendu Majumdar, the organisation said: ”We are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty The Queen, whose close association with the Academy spanned 50 years.
“Through her various patronages, the Queen was renowned for her support of the UK’s creative industries, having been patron of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, the Royal Variety Charity and the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund [now titled the Film + TV Charity]. Over the years, The Queen has visited countless film and television organisations, supporting their efforts by highlighting the work they do.”
Bafta highlighted how, in 1972, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh donated their share of profits from documentary film Royal Family towards a new headquarters for the Society of Film and Television Arts, a forerunner of Bafta. The official opening of the headquarters, in March 1976, was conducted by the Queen and remains Bafta’s London home
The Queen received her own Bafta in April 2013 during a reception for the British film industry at Windsor Castle. An honorary British Academy Special Award was presented by Kenneth Branagh in recognition of the monarch’s patronage of the film and television industries.
“The Queen occupies a unique place in the Academy’s history and will be missed enormously,” the statement added. ”Our thoughts are with our president, HRH the Duke of Cambridge and the Royal Family, to whom we offer our deepest sympathy.”
The Queen was a long-time supporter of the Film and TV Charity, formerly known as the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund (CTBF). Her relationship with the organisation began in 1946 when, as Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth, she attended the first ever Royal Command Performance – the premiere of Powell and Pressburger’s A Matter Of Life And Death.
She later became a patron of the charity, following in the footsteps of her father King George VI, and attended more than 30 Royal Film Performances and other events, helping the charity raise funds to support people working behind the scenes of the film, television and cinema industries.
“Our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this deeply sad moment for them, and for the country as a whole,” said Andrew Wilson-Mouasher, acting chair of trustees for the charity, and CEO Alex Pumfrey in a joint statement.
“Her patronage and support played a significant role in both celebrating and offering a helping hand to generations of people working behind the scenes in the industry, and for that we offer heartfelt thanks.”
Peter Morgan, creator of The Crown, said in an email to Deadline: “The Crown is a love letter to her and I’ve nothing to add for now, just silence and respect. I expect we will stop filming out of respect too.”
Michelle Donelan, who was appointed culture secretary on Tuesday (September 6), also paid tribute: “Words cannot express my sadness at the news that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has passed away. Like most people, I have never known a world without The Queen as our Head of State.
”She has been a figure of service, dedication and strength through my entire life. Her lifelong devotion to serving our country and the Commonwealth is simply unprecedented. As we enter a period of national mourning, I will be reflecting on The Queen’s extraordinary life, and my thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family, The King and the nation at this time. God save the King.”
The BFI (British Film Institute) said: ”We’re deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. We send our deepest condolences to her family.” Sharing a considerable amount of archive material of the long-serving monarch on its streaming service, BFI Player, the organisation said: ”Queen Elizabeth II was Britain’s longest-serving sovereign, and the first to live her entire life through the lens of moving image cameras: she was the first true media-age monarch.”
A spokesperson for UK creative industries union Bectu said: “Bectu is deeply saddened by the news that Her Majesty the Queen has died. Her lifetime of public service has been an inspiration to people in the UK and across the world. Our thoughts are with members of the Royal Family.”
Helen Mirren, who played Elizabeth II in Stephen Frears’ The Queen, said on Instagram: “I am proud to be an Elizabethan. We mourn a woman, who, with or without the crown, was the epitome of nobility.”
During the opening of the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Queen took part in a short film with James Bond, directed by Danny Boyle, in which she delivered the line: “Good evening, Mr Bond,” and appeared to jump out of a helicopter and parachute into the stadium.
In a statement, Bond actor Daniel Craig said: “I, like so many, was deeply saddened by the news today and my thoughts are with the Royal Family, those she loved and all those who loved her. She leaves an incomparable legacy and will be profoundly missed.”
Earlier this year, as part of the festivities for her Platinum Jubilee, she also appeared in a sketch with Paddington Bear. Calling back to the sketch, which also featured the co-writer of Paddington 2 Simon Farnaby, the Twitter account for Paddington said: “Thank you Ma’am, for everything.”
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