The Prince of Wales stunned attendees at the 2024 TV BAFTAS with a heartfelt recorded message dedicated to Baroness Floella Benjamin, recipient of the esteemed BAFTA Fellowship.
The former children’s TV presenter, aged 74, renowned for her contributions to shows like Play School and Play Away, was acknowledged for her “unwavering championing of diversity” and her “tireless support of children and young people”.
Moved by the touching gesture from Prince William, a close family friend since childhood, Baroness Benjamin, now an author and peer, was visibly emotional.
Addressing the audience, William said: “Good evening. Tonight, we are delighted to recognise Baroness Floella Benjamin’s remarkable achievements as she receives this year’s Fellowship for her ground-breaking work with children and young people; her longstanding commitment to television broadcasting; and for her work as an unwavering champion of inclusion.
“In a career spanning more than five decades, she has touched the lives of millions. She has graced our screens as a much-loved presenter of children’s television, most notably Playschool and Play Away.
“She has also contributed greatly to BAFTA itself – she chaired the BAFTA Television Committee from 1997 to 2000 and established the BAFTA Children’s Awards in 1995.
“Beyond the screen arts, Baroness Benjamin has steadfastly advocated for children’s education and welfare, supported a great number of charitable organisations, tirelessly campaigned for social justice – and as a member of the Windrush Generation – she has given voice to those who faced discrimination upon arrival in the UK.
“She is an actress, author, singer, politician and businesswoman, a beacon of representation and a voice for change.”
“Baroness Floella Benjamin you remind us of the power of empathy, compassion, and action to effect positive change and I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you. I’m thrilled that you are receiving the BAFTA Fellowship this evening, and I send my heartfelt congratulations,” he said.
Baroness Floella Benjamin’s Moving Winners’ Room Speech
In 2001, Floella was awarded an OBE, and she was selected by the late Queen Elizabeth II to be honored with the Order of Merit, fulfilling one of the Queen’s final wishes. The Order was conferred upon her at St James’s Palace by King Charles in November 2022.
In the winners’ room at the TV BAFTAs, the Baroness reminsced about her last memory of Her Late Majesty. She recalled: “I spoke about forgiveness to her, she was so open with me and I thought I’d be open about my life. I said, you know ma’am, when I was a little girl in Trinidad I used to stand in the playground and say ‘God save the Queen’, I was told the Queen loved me, Britain loved me, I was part of that motherland.
“But when I came here it was not like that and so many people did horrible things to me and my family. They sent the police to arrest us when we went to live in Beckenham in Kent. That’s why I’m called Baroness Benjamin of Beckenham, I’ve claimed it for my mum and dad.
“I said to her, ‘I’ve forgiven all the people who are horrible to me, because forgiveness frees the soul’. And two days before she died, she was reading my autobiography which has that story in it. Her private secretary, Edward Young, told me the Queen said to him, ‘I want to appoint Floella Benjamin into the Order of Merit’. Only 24 living people are in that Order, and she wanted me to be one of them. To give all little 10-year olds hope to show them anything is possible. That’s why I feel good holding this [award].”
Baroness Benjamin played a significant role in King Charles’ coronation as she was entrusted with carrying the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Dove.
She told The Telegraph at the time: “I feel honoured and privileged to be part of the historic Coronation ceremony.”To be selected to carry the Sovereign’s sceptre with dove, which represents spirituality, equity and mercy, is for me very symbolic as it’s everything I stand for and sends out a clear message that diversity and inclusion is being embraced.”
