Royal visit to BFI Southbank

On 29 October Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall received an enthusiastic welcome when they attended a special Patron's reception at BFI Southbank attended by actors, directors, politicians, sponsors, BFI staff, school students and VIPs.

Watch video of the visit

Guests included film stars Colin Firth and Laura Linney and other film-makers and producers taking part in The Times BFI 51st London Film Festival.

The Prince of Wales has been Patron of the BFI since 1979 and the visit was to update TRHs on developments and future plans at the BFI, to show off the refurbished spaces at BFI Southbank, and to celebrate the Festival.

The Royal couple also met students from Kingsmead School in north London who were attending an LFF Education screening and rap workshop, a young reviewer working on the HP iPAQ Festival blog site, BFI Governors, Deputy Mayor Nicky Gavron, local MP Simon Hughes, and BFI staff.

During their visit the Royal party received a tour of the full range of film exhibition, screening and learning spaces at the complex - including the Mediatheque and Gallery. In the Mediatheque where Their Royal Highnesses had the chance to explore the riches of the BFI National Archive collection, with short films such as a newsreel from 1921 in which Queen Mary visits Hampstead Maternity Home and demonstrates her unique baby-handling skills.