Queen Glitters For The Arts At Royal Academy

Hockney and Rego Greet Monarch With A Diamond Welcome

Over 850 of the best known artists, actors, directors, dancers, choreographers, musicians, as well as fashion designers, have  attended a reception at the Royal Academy to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. 

David Hockney and Dame Paula Rego, representing the art world, Dame Vivienne Westwood and Sarah Burton from fashion. Bono, Andrew Lloyd Weber and Paul McCartney representing musical achievement were all in attendance  .

The Queen also had her photograph taken with 20 artistic dames, including Dames Shirley Bassey and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Dames Judi Dench, Joan Plowright and Diana Rigg.

The literary world was represented by Julian Barnes, Michael Morpurgo, Penelope Lively, Alan Bennett and Philip Pullman who were delighted to attend the party of the year, co-hosted by the four Royal Academies which cover Art, Music, Dance and Dramatic Art, an umbrella institution that the Queen has served as patron for a number of years
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David Hockney designed the event programme, given to all guests to take home. While thanking the Queen for hosting a party to celebrate Britain’s culture, He said: “The arts aren’t a luxury, they’re an essential. I don’t think we can quite rely on governments to see the bigger picture so we need the arts.”

The Queen also presented two Diamond Jubilee Awards, for people who have made a special contribution to national culture, to choirmaster Gareth Malone and music promoter Harvey Goldsmith.

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