Call her a dame: Thompson receives top British award
LONDON — Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson has received one of Britain’s highest awards from Prince William — and thought about giving him a kiss at the Buckingham Palace ceremony.
Thompson received a damehood on Wednesday in recognition for her career, an event made special by the fact that it was given to her by William, a longtime friend.
“I love Prince William. I’ve known him since he was little, and we just sniggered at each other,” she says. “I said, ‘I can’t kiss you, can I?’ And he said, ‘No don’t’!”
Thompson was named for the female equivalent of a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honors List in June.
She plans to use the honor to focus attention on the plight of poor children who don’t get adequate food during school holidays.
One of Britain’s most acclaimed actresses, Thompson is known for her portrayals of enigmatic women, often in period dramas and literary adaptations, and playing matronly characters with a sense of wit. She is the recipient of various accolades including two Academy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, three BAFTA Awards and two Golden Globe Awards.
Notable film and television credits include the Harry Potter film series, “Angels in America” (2003), “Nanny McPhee” (2005), “Stranger than Fiction” (2006), “Last Chance Harvey” (2008), “Men in Black 3” (2012), “Brave “(2012), and “Beauty and the Beast” (2017).