TV royalty meets the real thing! Downton Abbey's Dame Maggie Smith honoured by the Queen in Windsor Castle ceremony

DAILY MAIL
By RUTH STYLES FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 12:19 EST, 17 October 2014 | UPDATED: 16:37 EST, 17 October 2014

She's famous for her role as Downton Abbey's frosty matriarch but Dame Maggie Smith certainly met her match today when she was honoured by the Queen at Windsor Castle.

The 79-year-old, famed for her roles in Downton Abbey and the Harry Potter films, was made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour and joins an illustrious group of recipients who include Professor Stephen Hawking and painter David Hockney.

She was presented with the award during an investiture at the Queen's Berkshire home but declined to speak to the press after the ceremony.



One of the most popular of Britain's actresses, Dame Maggie is synonymous with her roles as the Countess of Grantham in period drama Downton Abbey and Harry Potter's equally sharp-tongued Professor Minerva McGonagall.

But she has had an extensive career that stretches back to the 1950s, which began professionally at the Oxford Playhouse in 1952 and includes stints on Broadway.

Her stage performances have drawn critical acclaim and she has collected numerous awards for roles in plays such as Hedda Gabler, Three Sisters and Private Lives.


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(video) Benedict Cumberbatch Starts A Bromance With Prince William, Looks Dashing As He Does It

SOCIALITE LIFE
Wednesday 14 May 2014



So, what do we call the bromance between Benedict Cumberbatch and Prince William?

Prince Wenedict? Cumberlliam? I’m not sure. But the bromance is real. The duo shared a few laughs last night as the celebrated The Royal Marsden at Windsor Castle. What do you think they’re talking about? How great they are? How amazing Benedict looks in his tuxedo? What is going to happen on the next season of Sherlock?

There are truly a lot of questions. I bet Benedict wants to know when he’ll get a “Sir” added to his name.

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - MAY 13: (L-R) Ricky Lauren, Benedict Cumberbatch and Ralph Lauren attend a dinner to celebrate the work of The Royal Marsden hosted by the Duke of Cambridgeon May 13, 2014 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Doug Seeburg-Pool/Getty Images)

READ MORE HERE: http://www.socialitelife.com/benedict-cumberbatch-starts-a-bromance-with-prince-william-looks-dashing-as-he-does-it-05-2014

Benedict Cumberbatch, Cate Blanchett, Emma Watson and More Stars Stun at Prince WIlliam's Windsor Castle Charity Dinner

E On Line
by BRETT MALEC
May 13, 2014



Prince William is rubbing elbows with the stars!

Cate Blanchett, Emma Watson, Benedict Cumberbatch and more of Hollywood's biggest stars stepped out tonight to attend the Duke of Cambridge's Royal Marsden Hospital charity dinner at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England.

Blanchett stunned in a white, one-shoulder gown with jeweled earrings and her hair up. As for Watson, the 24-year-old looked like the epitome of class and elegance in a crisp white shirt tucked into a floor-length gray skirt. Watson completed her look with a dark red lip.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.eonline.com/news/541653/cate-blanchett-emma-watson-and-more-stars-stun-at-prince-william-s-windsor-castle-charity-dinner

Sherlock's Benedict Cumberbatch Cycles For Charity (LOOK TO THE STARS)

Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch was among 3,000 cyclists saddling up for The Prince's Trust Palace to Palace bike ride supported by Saudi Aramco on Sunday 14th October.

Benedict Cumberbatch at the Prince's Trust Palace to Palace Bike Ride

Credit/Copyright: www.princes-trust.org.uk

The 45-mile Palace to Palace ride from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle raises vital funds for the work of The Prince’s Trust. Every year, the sell-out event sees participants collectively cycle 135,000 miles between the Royal Palaces.

Prince’s Trust ambassador Benedict, who stars in the hit BBC drama Sherlock, has raised more than £20,000 for The Trust for this year’s event.

He said: "I don’t get the opportunity to cycle much so it was fantastic to take part on such a beautiful route through London. It wasn’t easy cycling 45 miles but it’s worth it for such an important cause and everyone has had a great time.

“The Prince’s Trust is a charity which I am passionate about helping. Young people are our future, and with so many struggling to find work in the UK, I feel it’s vital we do everything we can to make sure all young people have the opportunities to succeed.”

TV presenter Anna Williamson, who took part with her team Anna’s Angels, said: “It was hard work but lots of fun riding through the city. The best thing about Palace to Palace is that it’s not a competition so everyone was really relaxed and the atmosphere was absolutely brilliant.”


Read more: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/9123-sherlocks-benedict-cumberbatch-cycles-for-charity

BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH TODAY: Participated in Charity Bike Ride (OH NO THEY DIDN'T)

Our Hero

Benedict Cumberbatch (along with team mate Adam Ackland) was among 3000 cyclists saddling up for The Prince’s Trust Palace to Palace bike ride (supported by Saudi Aramco) today.

The 45 mile ride from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle raises vital funds for the youth charity’s work with disadvantaged young people. Every year the sell out event sees participants collectively cycle 135,000 miles between the Royal Palaces.

Benedict Cumberbatch, who is an ambassador for The Prince’s Trust has so far raised an astonishing £23,778 from fans around the world and friends for The Prince’s Trust for this year’s event.


Read more at ONTD: http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/72744580.html

Benedict Cumberbatch: Palace to Palace - 45 Mile bike ride (yikes) on October 14 to raise money for the Prince's Trust

Benedict Cumberbatch will take part in Palace to Palace, a 45-mile bicycle ride from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle, on Oct. 14, 2012, and he has asked his fans to sponsor him. Money raised goes to the Prince’s Trust, which helps the young unemployed.

Someone who made a donation reported on her Tumblr that she had received this message:  “You have been so generous with your pockets, now be generous with a bit more of your time and I promise you it will be worth it. If we go over the target in the next two days I will, tart that i am, share some photos with you of me in training in my fetching cycling gear!”

DONATE HERE AT CUMBERBATCHWEB