Alex Jennings, the renowned actor best known for his portrayal of Prince Charles in The Queen, had a memorable encounter with King Charles at Windsor Castle on Tuesday.
The 67-year-old actor was presented with a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) award for his exceptional contributions to drama.
This special moment blurred the lines between fiction and reality, as Jennings had previously starred alongside Dame Helen Mirren in the 2006 film.
A Career of Royal Portrayals
Jennings’ career is marked by his impressive versatility.
He’s the only actor to have won Olivier Awards in three categories: comedy for Too Clever By Half (1988), drama for Peer Gynt (1996), and musical for My Fair Lady (2003).
Beyond his stage and film career, he’s also made a name for himself portraying various royals.
His most recent role was as Edward VIII in The Crown on Netflix.
He’s also taken on roles like King George III in the 1997 documentary Liberty! The American Revolution and King Leopold I of Belgium in the series Victoria.
Notably, he starred as Richard II in a 1990 Royal Shakespeare Company production.
Other Honorees at the Ceremony
Jennings wasn’t the only individual honored at the ceremony.
Susie Dent, best known for her role as the queen of Dictionary Corner on Countdown, received an MBE for her outstanding work in literature and language.
A lexicographer, etymologist, and author, Dent has also appeared on numerous TV and radio programs and has her own stage show, The Secret Life of Words.
A Pioneering Balloonist
Among those also recognized was Alicia Hempleman-Adams, a world-record-holding hot air balloonist.
At just 35, she set a new world record for female solo flights in a thermal airship, achieving records for altitude, distance, and duration.
She flew at 4,100 feet (1,250 meters) in Connecticut, and hopes to inspire other women to take up the sport.
“It’s nice to be recognized in quite a male sport,” she shared. “Hopefully, we can inspire the younger generation to try it.”
Her father, Sir David Hempleman-Adams, was also present at the ceremony.
He holds similar male records and was there to support his daughter as she received her MBE for services to hot air ballooning.
Honoring a War Hero
Havildar Major Rajinder Dhatt, a 103-year-old veteran of World War II, was honored with an honorary MBE for his services to the South Asian community in the UK.
Dhatt, born in pre-partition India in 1921, was a sergeant major in the British Indian Army.
He co-founded the Undivided Indian Ex-Servicemen’s Association, which brings together British-Indian war veterans.
At the ceremony, Dhatt reflected on the importance of unity and community service, sharing how the association’s mission continues to support and uplift veterans.
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