Mirren was in Jerusalem to award the prestigious Genesis Prize  honoring individuals who have attained excellence and international renown in their chosen professional fields, and who inspire others through their engagement and dedication to the Jewish community and/or the State of Israel.

Oscar-winning British actress Helen Mirren has visited Israel on several occasions. The first was a backpacking trip with her Jewish boyfriend after the 1967 Six-Day War, during which she “actually slept on the beach in Eilat” and spent time at Kibbutz Ha’on in northern Israel.