'I PUT ON MOISTURIZER AND HOPE FOR THE BEST' HELEN MIRREN THE OSCAR WINNER TALKS AGING GRACEFULLY, MISSING QUEEN ELIZABETH AND HER ADVENTURES IN CANADA

From her powerful roles to her exquisite fashions, Dame Helen Mirren never fails to make a dazzling impression. But catch her one-on-one and the legendary actress will be the first to admit that she came into her own relatively late in life.

- SUZANNE WINTROB

“I was a dumpy little thing – absolutely hopeless!” the Gosford Park star, 78, says of her younger years. “I was a big francophile because the French were just so cool compared to the British at the time. They still are, aren’t they? They’re just so chic and elegant, and we’re so chaotic by comparison.”

Of course, chic and elegant are words that describe Helen herself. The actress, who’s renowned for playing three British monarchs – including the late Queen, whom she knew personally – is a longtime L’Oréal Paris spokesperson and bona fide style icon. And yet, she still exudes an endearing down-to-earth vibe.

It helps that Helen and her husband of 25 years, director Taylor Hackford, 78, have swapped the bustle of London and the spotlight of Hollywood for a peaceful property in Lake Tahoe, Nev., which has been therapeutic for her body and soul – and marriage, too. “You’re constantly discovering, learning about the person you love, who suddenly, completely surprises you,” she says of their secluded life. “You find depths of courage or patience or generosity that you just didn’t know were there.”

Recently, the Golda star made her way to Toronto to accept the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center’s 2023 Humanitarian Award for her commitment to human rights and chatted with Hello! Canada about royals, Barbie dolls and her Oscar statuette.

Welcome back to Canada! What’s one of your fondest memories of being here?

I remember being in Quebec and going out on the frozen lake and how unbelievably cold it was. I had my first poutine in Quebec!

What does this prestigious humanitarian award mean to you?