“Whenever I think of my birthplace, Walton-on-Thames, my reference first and foremost is the river. I love the smell of the river; love its history, its gentleness. I was aware of its presence from my earliest years. Its majesty centered me, calmed me, was a solace to a certain extent.”

English actress, singer, author and theater director

Dame Julie Andrews is an English actress, singer, author and theater director. She became one of the biggest box office draws of the 1960s and has received major honours across film, television, music and theatre. Her awards include an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, two Grammy Awards, four Emmy Awards and seven Golden Globe Awards, along with nominations for three Tony Awards. She was named a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2000 New Year Honours, and later received the Kennedy Center Honors, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award and the AFI Life Achievement Award.