Royal Watch News

Queen Elizabeth marks 60 years of the National Film Theatre

Oct 25, 2012, 15:02 GMT

Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth marked 60 years of the National Film Theatre today (25.10.12).

Her Majesty visited BFI Southbank's first permanent cinema on London's South Bank to commend British film as part of this year's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

She was greeted by BFI (British Film Institute) Chair Greg Dyke and BFI CEO Amanda Nevill before unveiling a commemorative 60th anniversary plaque.

The queen's visit also included seeing the new Reuben Library, the Mediatheque and the cinemas, meeting a range of staff, local school children and famous names from the film industry, including 'The King's Speech' director Tom Hooper and Richard Ayoade, actor and director of 'Submarine'

Greg Dyke was thrilled by the visit, saying: 'I find it extraordinary to think that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been on the throne for more than half the time that film has been in existence.

'When we built BFI Southbank, it was a temporary structure in a less than ideal location under Waterloo Bridge.

'Who could have predicted then that, 60 years on, film would become one of the world's greatest and most accessible art forms, supporting a huge industry.'

Longstanding BFI supporter Jonathan Ross presented a handpicked screening of rare items from the BFI National Archive to the queen, including some royal home movies with King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth and Prince Charles as small baby.