Actress Imelda Staunton has paid tribute to the “great Dames” who have led the way as she joined their ranks in the King’s Birthday Honours. The 68-year-old theatre and film star said she felt being made a Dame “recognises the importance of the arts in this country” as she was honoured for services to drama and charity. Dame Imelda’s stage career has seen her star in musicals including Hello, Dolly!, Into the Woods and Sweeney Todd, and on the small screen she earned a Bafta TV nomination for her fictional portrayal of Charles’ mother, the late Queen, in Netflix’s hit series The Crown.
Imelda Staunton has been honoured (Ian West/PA) “I feel genuinely humbled to be recognised on the same level as the amazing actresses, all the great Dames, who have led the way for so many of us. “It is their talent, dedication, wit and energy that have paved the way for us all and have set the standards to which we all aspire.” Among her peers to also receive the honour are Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Maggie Smith, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Julie Andrews, Dame Vanessa Redgrave and Dame Kristin Scott Thomas.
Dame Imelda’s charity work has included being an ambassador for national homelessness charity Crisis, and she supported a winter fundraising campaign from international disaster relief charity ShelterBox. She said: “I am also delighted that this honour recognises my support for charity as well as my work as an actress. “I feel privileged to be able to use the success I h.
