Helen Mirren accepted her damehood for her parents.
The 69-year-old actress received the honour for British citizens from Queen Elizabeth II for her services to the performing arts in 2003.
Although Helen’s mother and father were deceased by the time she was invited to Buckingham Palace to get the accolade, the ‘Woman in Gold’ star decided she had to accept it, despite having reservations, because it would have made her parents proud.
In an interview with the Metro newspaper, she revealed: "Becoming a dame was a whole different thing. It was to do with my family, with my mum and dad, and the world I grew up in. And they were both dead by the time … but I accepted it for my parents."
Helen’s main concern about accepting the royal honour was that she would be losing her edge as an artist.
She added: "That was my great fear. I don’t want to be part of the establishment. That’s not my role as an artist. You have to hold yourself apart, because our job – as artists – is to have the courage to step up and attack the establishment. But as you get older, inevitably life pulls you into it, because you become the establishment, just because you’re established."
Helen has portrayed Queen Elizabeth II on several occasions including in Broadway stage show ‘The Audience’ and in 2006 movie ‘The Queen’ – a performance which earned her the Best Actress Oscar.
Helen Mirren accepted damehood for parents
