Acclaimed Actress Receives Prestigious London Honour
Academy Award-winning actress Cate Blanchett has been formally honoured with the Freedom of the City of London in recognition of her exceptional acting career and dedicated humanitarian campaigning. The 56-year-old Australian star, who serves as a global goodwill ambassador for the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), attended a special ceremony at Guildhall on Friday to accept this distinguished award.
Celebrating Outstanding Contributions to Drama and Humanity
The prestigious honour acknowledges Blanchett's 'outstanding contribution to drama' alongside her extensive campaigning work addressing humanitarian crises and global environmental issues. In a powerful gesture, the actress invited several individuals with refugee backgrounds to join her as guests during the ceremony, highlighting her commitment to the cause she champions.
Speaking after receiving the honour, the Ocean's 8 star expressed deep appreciation for the recognition. 'I treasure this gift from a city and country with a history of offering welcome and opportunity,' Blanchett stated. 'London is a melting pot, where people from around the world find a home.'
She elaborated on London's historical role as a sanctuary, noting: 'It has long provided sanctuary to those fleeing persecution, from the Huguenots centuries ago to people fleeing eastern Europe in the early part of 20th century and, more recently, to those escaping conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and beyond.'
A Legacy of Achievement and Service
The Freedom of the City of London represents one of the oldest surviving traditional ceremonies still practised today, with origins dating back to 1237. This honour serves as a tribute to individuals who have made remarkable contributions to public life. Previous recipients include comedian Sir Lenny Henry, England football captain Harry Kane, and choreographer Sir Matthew Bourne.
Blanchett's nomination came from former Lord Mayor of the City of London Sir William Russell and Emily Benn, chairwoman of the board of governors of Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
The actress's distinguished career includes:
- Two Academy Awards - Best Supporting Actress for The Aviator (2005) and Best Actress for Blue Jasmine (2014)
- Breakthrough role as Queen Elizabeth I in Elizabeth (1998)
- Memorable performance as Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings trilogy
- Critically acclaimed roles in Carol, Notes on a Scandal, and Tár
- Co-directorship of the Sydney Theatre Company from 2008 to 2013 alongside her husband Andrew Upton
Beyond her acting achievements, Blanchett serves as an Earthshot Prize council member and has been awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia. In 2018, she received the World Economic Forum's Crystal Award for her leadership in raising awareness about the refugee crisis.
Despite her continued success, including recent appearances at the 2025 Bambi Awards in Munich and her return to the London stage in a new adaptation of Anton Chekhov's The Seagull, Blanchett has recently revealed plans to eventually retire from acting to pursue other interests.
During her acceptance speech, Blanchett dedicated the honour to refugees worldwide, stating: 'For many refugees, London represents a new beginning - safety, hope and belonging after hardship and displacement. I accept the freedom in their honour.'
