The Unofficial British Royal Family Pages

29 Nov 2000 - Speech given by The Queen at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art

Thank you, Lord Attenborough, for your kind words of welcome.

Having been Patron of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art since 1952, it is a great pleasure to be able to come here this afternoon to open these redeveloped buildings. I have particularly enjoyed meeting both staff and students and having the opportunity to see the exerpts from your productions and something of the work that goes on backstage.

Since the Academy's foundation in 1904, RADA's graduates have regularly become household names the world over. Britain has a proud heritage in all the arts, but none stands higher in worldwide reputation and acclaim than our theatre and acting profession.

My mother opened the Gower Street Buildings some seventy years ago. As joint Patron it gives me great pleasure to follow her today to open these magnificent new premises. I am certain that they will ensure that this great institution maintains its internationally recognised tradition of excellence into the twenty-first century and
beyond.