Queen Elizabeth II has received an honorary British Academy award in recognition of her support of British film and television.
John Willis, chairman of the British Academy Film and Television Awards, joked that the prize was also in honour of the queen's performance as the "most memorable Bond girl yet" during the London Olympics opening ceremony.
He was referring to the moment when a stuntman
dressed as the queen parachuted into the Olympic Stadium during a skit involving James Bond, the legendary spy.
Actor Kenneth Branagh presented the prize to the monarch today during a glamorous reception to celebrate the British entertainment industry at Windsor Castle.
The party was attended by 300 guests, including Star Wars director George Lucas, Homeland actor Damian Lewis and veteran actor John Hurt.
Photograph: Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images
