The Prince of Wales came face-to-face with the Mother of Dragons at an Investiture Ceremony at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.
Emilia Clarke and her mother Jenny received MBEs for services to People with Brain Injuries, after setting up the brain recovery charity SameYou to help those recovering with their mental health. The charity also works to raise awareness, fund research, and advocate for change.
The two were jointly presented with their honours by Prince William, who Emilia said “was just delightful and made us feel so comfortable.” She also joked that she thought her mother “was going to ask him to be on the board of trustees, but she didn’t.” Jenny replied: “I nearly did.”
Emilia and her mother set up their charity after the British actress suffered two brain haemorrhages over a decade ago and described the jarring transition back to a normal lifestyle after receiving medical treatment, and how there was a lack of support and awareness for those recovering.
Speaking to reporters outside Windsor Castle, Emilia said, “You are so taken care of, and so supported, and then you are let out into the world. And it seems terrifying, and you feel like you are ill-equipped to be a normal person again because you have just been told that you are going to die every three seconds.”
The mother-daughter duo said that William was well-briefed on SameYou when chatting with them, and outside the Castle afterwards, Emilia said that receiving an honour like this for their work with brain injury survivors has given her “such a boost of energy and momentum.”
On social media, Kensington Palace shared a video of Emilia and Jenny receiving their MBEs with the caption: “From Westeros to Windsor, a real pleasure presenting @emilia_clarke and her mum Jennifer with their honours today for their charity work with @sameyouorg supporting brain injury recovery care ????️
“Congratulations to all of today’s recipients!”
William presented honours to many people on Wednesday, including Dame Siobhain McDonagh, a politician; Betsy Gregory, a director; and Lydia Otter, a campaigner for autism awareness.