Dame Helen Mirren

Dame Helen Mirren

Dame Helen Mirren met Britain's Queen Elizabeth at a star-studded reception at Buckingham Palace last night (17.02.14).

The 87-year-old royal teamed up with the Duchess of Cambridge, 32, to welcome a host of A-Listers - including Sir David Attenborough, Cate Blanchett and Benedict Cumberbatch - in honour of The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA).

A number of short performances were staged, including a combination of songs from 'Oh What A Lovely War', and Dame Helen also recited a speech from Shakespeare's 'The Tempest'.

Afterwards, Dame Helen - who has played the monarch on-screen and on-stage in the past - was congratulated by the Queen on her performance, but she admits she felt nervous talking to the royal.

Dame Helen said: "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."

Even Gemma Arterton admitted she felt proud to be meeting the Queen for the first time, despite meeting many members of the royal family before in the past.

She is quoted by the Daily Telegraph newspaper as saying: "My mum and dad were so proud when I got the letter. They said 'you're going to meet the Queen.'

"I've met most of the Royal family but I'd never met the Queen. Now I've got the full set."

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