Celebrated British actress and star Helena Bonham
Carter last night (18th November) turned
on the Burlington Arcade Christmas Lights in
Mayfair, in association with The King’s Speech
and Save the Children.
In keeping with her upcoming role as Queen Elizabeth
in the highly-acclaimed and much-anticipated film
The King’s Speech, where she stars alongside
Colin Firth as George VI, Bonham Carter delighted
crowds by arriving at the Burlington Arcade in a
suitably regal motor – the magnificent 1937 Alvis
Vanden Plus Tourer is one of only twelve ever built
and was kindly provided by the Royal Automobile
Club.
Helena Bonham Carter took to the stage at around 7pm
to wish the awaiting crowd a very Happy Christmas
and illuminate the Christmas lights in aid of Save
the Children, the world’s largest independent
children’s charity. The Arcade flooded with light as
she pulled the golden rope, heralded by a trumpet
fanfare by the Household Cavalry.
Britain’s oldest, grandest shopping arcade was awash
with Christmas cheer; a winter fairytale with
frosted windows showcasing beautiful gifts to tempt
and delight the 600 guests as they enjoyed Christmas
cocktails and canapés.
All shoppers in the Arcade until 6th
December will have the opportunity to enter a
competition to win a pair of tickets to an exclusive
preview screening of The King’s Speech, ahead
of its much anticipated release date of 7th
January.
About Burlington Arcade
Combining sophisticated London style, quality and a
heritage of fine craftsmanship, Burlington Arcade
has been the perfect destination for luxurious
accessories – including jewellery and antiques,
cashmere and fine fragrance, leather goods and
vintage watches, since it first opened in 1819.
This Christmas, for the most opulent and enjoyable
shopping experience, Burlington Arcade will
transform into a stunning winter wonderland.
The longest and most beautiful covered shopping
street in England,
it is Britain’s very first true shopping arcade.
www.burlington-arcade.co.uk
About The King’s Speech
Academy Award® Nominee Colin Firth stars as King
George VI, who is unexpectedly thrust into the
international spotlight when his brother Edward
abdicates. Academy Award ® Winner Geoffrey Rush
stars as Logue, the man who helps him find a voice
with which to lead the nation. The
multi-award-winning cast includes Helena Bonham
Carter (Alice in Wonderland), Guy Pearce (The Hurt
Locker), Derek Jacobi (The Golden Compass), Timothy
Spall (The Damned United) and Michael Gambon (Harry
Potter).
www.thekingsspeech-movie.com
About Save the Children
Save The Children, established in 1919, is the
world’s largest independent children’s charity. It
works with children in the UK and across the world,
where its vital work saves and improves children’s
lives in more than 120 countries. Over the last 12
months it has reached almost 6 million children,
working to ensure they receive proper healthcare,
food, education and protection. The charity saves
lives in emergencies, campaigns for children’s
rights and improves the future of children through
long-term development work.
Save the Children's mission is to inspire
breakthroughs in the way the world treats children,
and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their
lives. Every year over 8.8 million children under
the age of five are dying from preventable diseases
such as pneumonia and diarrhoea and Save the
Children is working to put an end to this.
About the Royal Automobile Club
Founded in 1897 with the aim of encouraging the
development of motoring in Britain, today the Royal
Automobile Club is one of London’s finest private
members' clubs, combining over 100 years of luxury
and tradition with exceptional facilities and
outstanding service. Members enjoy unlimited access
to two superb clubhouses; the Pall Mall clubhouse,
in the very heart of London, contains a unique range
of accommodation, dining and sporting facilities,
including what is arguably the finest swimming pool
in London. The Woodcote Park clubhouse is set in 350
acres of Surrey parkland, complete with two 18 hole
golf courses, together with a variety of other
sports facilities, dining and accommodation.
Along with use of both clubhouses, a ‘home from
home’ for many, members also enjoy a whole host of
other benefits and opportunities to socialise with
fellow members, including an extensive events
programme and a wide range of sports and activities.
For those travelling further afield, the Club also
offers access to over sixty reciprocal clubs around
the globe. Ever loyal to its motoring heritage, both
clubhouses host motoring events and launches, with
the Club awarding historic trophies and medals
throughout the year. Members and guests may even be
lucky enough to glimpse the occasional supercar or
F1 on display. Membership truly brings many
privileges.
www.royalautomobileclub.co.uk