22 May 2002: The Queen honours the arts world at a reception at the Royal Academy, London

Stars of the UK arts world gathered at a special reception hosted by the Royal Academy to mark The Queen's Jubilee year. The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Duke of Kent, Lady Helen Taylor, and Viscount and Viscountess Linley were Royal guests of honour at the function.

The 600 guests included representatives of the worlds of literature, music, art, fashion, comedy and drama, and included Forces' sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn, Harry Potter author J K Rowling, the artist David Hockney, comedian Victoria Wood, conductor Sir Simon Rattle, singer Shirley Bassey, Lord Attenborough and Sir David Attenborough, actor Sir John Mills, novelist Martin Amis, composer Sir Harrison Birtwistle, Lord Bragg and ballet dancer Darcy Bussell. Also present was Australian 'superstar' Dame Edna Everage. The guest list was drawn up by the four Royal Academies - Arts, Music, Dance and Dramatic Art.

Entertainment of all sorts was provided during the reception, including a piano performance by Jools Holland, jazz from Stan Tracey and performers from the Royal Academy of Music, and actors and mime artists from RADA. There was also opportunity to preview this year's Royal Academy summer exhibition.

As part of her Jubilee celebrations, The Queen has instituted five one-off awards for promising newcomers in the five main arts fields. Each award is worth £10,000. During the evening, the five winners were presented with their awards by The Queen.

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