Remembering our Patron, Her Majesty The Queen

The Queen’s relationship with the charity began in 1946 when, as Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth, she attended the first ever Royal Command Performance in support of the organisation. She was accompanying her parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, and her sister, Princess Margaret, at the Empire Cinema in Leicester Square for the premiere of Powell and Pressburger’s A Matter Of Life And Death.

Since then, following in her father’s footsteps by becoming Patron of the charity, The Queen has played a valued role in our remarkable heritage. She has supported our charitable aims by attending more than thirty Royal Film Performances™ and other events. Often accompanied by her late husband, His Royal Highness The Duke Of Edinburgh, the events helped us to raise the funds needed to support people working behind the scenes in film, television, and cinema at every stage of their careers. 

During her time as our Patron, The Queen witnessed a huge amount of change in the British film, television, and cinema industry as it grew to become the thriving, modern creative sector that is so highly regarded throughout the world today. Her patronage and support have 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. This is just one example of how Her Majesty devoted her whole life to serving the British people, and we are grateful for all of the incredible work she has done. 

Our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this deeply sad moment for them, and for the country as a whole. 

Andrew Wilson-Mouasher, Acting Chair of Trustees
Alex Pumfrey, CEO