More than a dozen “Women and Hamlets” joined in to toast the Queen’s health, while a super-sized get-well card was sent to the King from leading figures in British theatre.
The Queen attended the Shakespeare celebration at Grosvenor House in London, which turned into a goodwill meeting for the King, with the country’s most distinguished actors and actresses.
The King, a lifelong Shakespeare fan, was forced to miss the event due to health issues as he was treated for cancer for the second time.
The Queen will return to her at Sandringham with a large card signed by dozens of her friends and fans, who signed their names in text messages throughout the event.
The card quotes Shakespeare’s “All’s Well That Ends Well” and says: “Our hope, sir, is to return / And find your Grace in good health,” in a message that would mean a lot to the King, who often speaks of his admiration for those who perform.
The guest list included Baroness Floella Benjamin, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Penelope Keith, Dame Twiggy Lawson, Dame Joanna Lumley, Dame Virginia McKenna, Dame Sian Phillips, Dame Vanessa Redgrave, Dame Patricia Routledge, Dame Janet Suzman, Dame Harriet Walter and Dame Penelope. wilton
The Queen considers many of them her friends and appeared to have enjoyed the warmth of the gathering at Grosvenor House, hosted by Gyles Brandreth of the National Theater and Royal Shakespeare Company.
Shakespearean actors in attendance included Sir Simon Russell Beale, Sir David Suchet, Jeremy Irons, Julian Glover, Brian Cox, Freddie Fox, Gary Oldman and Robert Lindsay.
Lady Sarah Chatto, the King’s cousin and a champion of the arts in her own right, was also there.
Brandreth toasted “to a King and Queen whose love of literature and the arts is so deep-rooted and so real and so supportive, it’s great for us and it’s great for our country.”
He also gifted the Queen with two matching heart skippers for her and the King on Valentine’s Day.
The event was held to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the first Shakespeare folio.
Wearing a green velvet Me + Em dress and white drop Alhambra Van Cleef & Arpels earrings, the 75-year-old Queen attended alongside her sister Annabel Eliot. The duo were also joined by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Lady Sarah Chatto, Gabriella Windsor and her husband, Freddie Windsor and his wife, actress Sophie Winkleman.
Redgrave presented her with a large bouquet of roses as she spoke to “a dozen women”, the Queen said: “Thank you, that’s very kind of you” before taking a group photo.
He attended a reception where English wine was specially ordered for the King and guests dined on Shakespeare-themed canapés, including “With or without Beetroot” blinis.
The guest list also included Sir Tim Rice, Poet Simon Armitage, Sir David Suchet, Jeremy Paxman, Fiona Bruce, Melvyn Bragg, playwright Sir David Hare and theater impresario Sir Cameron Mackintosh.
Writers including Sir Michael Morpurgo and Jilly Cooper joined directors including Tamara Harvey, joint artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
The Queen, who has long campaigned for the joys and benefits of literature, chatted with guests and then joined Brandreth, who took to the stage and made a speech.
“I was telling the Queen that I was giving up naming names for Lent, so the next few days were going to be tough for me,” he said.
He then toasted “The King, Queen and William Shakespeare” before turning to the Queen and saying: “You can’t drink because you’re part of the toast.”
The writer and broadcaster, who is known for wearing quirky jumpers, added: “The last time I saw the King I was wearing one of my jumpers and he said it looked suitable for a hearth rug.
“We all send His Majesty our love, respect and best wishes for a speedy recovery. Long live my King!”
Dame Judi then took the stage and sang Sonnet 116 “I do not allow the marriage of true minds” to enthusiastic applause, and Gary Oldman began his performance of a comedy poem about Hamlet by joking: “This is a full house.” . Gyles said there would only be a few people, but he didn’t tell me I had to follow Judi Dench.”
Finally, Robert Lindsay performed “Brush up on your Shakespeare” from Cole Porter’s musical Kiss Me Kate, drawing laughter and applause from the Queen and the audience.
The Queen, clearly in high spirits, left just after 8.30pm, more than half an hour after her scheduled departure time.
Speaking after the reception, actor Sir Stephen Fry, a close friend of Charles and Camilla, said: “We are incredibly lucky to have a King and Queen who support the arts so strongly, especially at a time of such brutal disruption.
“Whatever you think of the monarchy, their role is to hold the nation together and they do that.
“It’s been fantastic to hear the support for the King tonight, every taxi driver and barista I’ve spoken to wants to wish him well. He’s really so self-assured, it’s one of his most endearing qualities, I don’t think he’ll believe it – all the support.”