Queen pays tribute to Elaine Paige as singer honoured at Olivier Awards

The Queen has paid tribute to Dame Elaine Paige, saying the singer has brought “huge joy to untold numbers of people” as she was honoured at the Olivier Awards.

Dame Elaine, who has starred in musicals including Cats and Evita in a career spanning decades, was presented with the 2026 Special Award at the ceremony by Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber who called her his “oldest friend” and “the First Lady of musical theatres”.

In a message from Camilla read by the composer, she said: “I was delighted to learn you were to receive this year’s Special Award of the Oliviers 2026.

“I can think of no more fitting recipient.

“Over the decades of your career, your talent, commitment and generosity of spirit have made you a truly defining figure in musical theatre.

“You have quite simply brought huge joy to untold numbers of people across the globe, and we are all in your debt.

“I do hope that you have a wonderful evening.”

Speaking on stage, Dame Elaine, who presents a musicals show on BBC Radio 2 on Sundays, said accepting the award was a “bit of a pinch-me moment”.

She said: “Music and theatre have been the mainstay, really, well, the major force in my life and when I look back, I really can hardly believe the journey and the longevity of it all, to be honest.

“And, again, thinking about that, it’s those early years, of course, those bit-parts and chorus lines and lots of rejection and long stretches when the phone doesn’t ring, and that dreadful feeling that we all know – ‘Oh I’m never going to work again’ – and a struggle, really, to keep going and you think to yourself, ‘I don’t know, maybe I should just give the whole thing up’.

“But then you think to yourself, I don’t know, maybe behind every performer there’s a someone and in my case that someone was my dear dad, who always reminded me that perseverance furthers – that was his motto.

“And so I’m deeply grateful to him because that piece of advice and encouragement, that’s what kept me going really and those early years, when I think about it now, taught me about resilience and determination and commitment and also a deep appreciation for every single opportunity when it came, and luckily, eventually it did with Evita.

“Thank you Andrew and Tim, that was the one, that show really did change my life completely.”

She added: “I wanted to say to the next generation, may you find your people, your voice and your courage and make sure to ignore anyone that says it can’t be done.

“And may you perhaps one day stand where I’m standing now, slightly bewildered but deeply grateful for every collaboration, every performance, every note that has led me here.”

Theatre and film stars, including songwriter Sir Tim Rice and actor Hugh Jackman paid tribute to the singer in videos played before she collected her award.

Lyricist Don Black said he had always loved her “god-given voice” and “uncontrollable giggle”.