King Charles III celebrated the 50th anniversary of the King’s Trust with Helen Mirren, who twice played the role of his mother. The 78-year-old King hosted a state reception on Thursday, 14 May 2026, welcoming dignitaries, volunteers and staff who have helped him develop the organisation over the years.
The organisation’s mission is to help young people in the UK and “support them in developing the confidence and skills they need to live, learn and earn a living.”
Among the guests at the reception was the famous actress Helen Mirren, who was awarded the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by the King’s mother, Elizabeth II, in 2003.
During her illustrious career, Mirren, 80, has played many members of the British royal family. But she achieved her greatest recognition for playing Queen Elizabeth – twice. After winning an Oscar for her 2006 film The Queen, which chronicled the royal family’s reaction to the death of Princess Diana, Mirren played the monarch on stage, winning Tony and Olivier awards for her performance in The Audience.
Mirren met Queen Elizabeth several times before her death in 2022, but the actress said the famously reserved monarch never commented on her portrayals.
She was always incredibly gracious, but never mentioned “I’m thrilled that I’m playing her,” Mirren said in a 2015 interview with Playbill. “I think it’s completely appropriate.”
