Zeta Jones' New York Welsh honour

2011-03-04 08:03:31

4 March 2011 Last updated at 06:33 Share this page Delicious Digg Facebook reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Email Print Catherine Zeta Jones in New York Welsh society award Catherine Zeta Jones' award is for her "unstinting pride in Wales" Continue reading the main story Related Stories Prince joins St David's Day toast Zeta Jones receives CBE at Palace Americans celebrate St David's Day

Catherine Zeta Jones is to be guest of honour at a St David's Day celebration in New York where she will receive a lifetime achievement award.

The Oscar-winning actress is being awarded the Hopkins bronze medal from The St David's Society of the State of New York at its 176th annual banquet.

Zeta Jones, 41, who is originally from Swansea, was made a CBE by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace last week.

Actor Michael Douglas will accompany his wife at Friday's banquet.

The St David's Society of the State of New York said the award was for Zeta Jones' "worldwide stature in the film and theatre industries, her unstinting pride in Wales, her generosity in support of Welsh causes and her role as an ambassador for Wales in the United States of America".

The star, who has appeared in films like Chicago, Ocean's Twelve, Traffic and The Mask of Zorro, will receive the society's highest prize, the William R Hopkins medal, at the Yale Club in Manhattan.

Singer Iris Williams and composer Karl Jenkins are among previous recipients.

Prof Peter Stead, the social historian, broadcaster and retired Swansea lecturer, who will be at the event in New York, said the actress had done much to promote Wales.

Continue reading the main story “Start Quote

It promises to be a great night of celebrating Welshness ”

End Quote Prof Peter Stead Social historian and broadcaster

He told the St David's Day Society's website he was "absolutely thrilled Catherine is being given this honour".

"She has done such a lot to promote Wales and the Welsh around the world through her work," Prof Stead said.

"I'm told by the organisers Michael Douglas will be with her and I'm sure everyone will be pleased to see him.

"It promises to be a great night of celebrating Welshness in the heart of one of the most influential cities in the world."

In 2002, Zeta Jones scooped best supporting actress at the Oscars for the big screen version of the musical Chicago.

Catherine Zeta Jones received her CBE at Buckingham Palace last week

The Hollywood couple have two children, Dylan and Carys, and have a home in New York.

Last week Zeta Jones received a CBE at Buckingham Palace for services to the film industry and to charity.

She has been a patron of the Noah's Ark Appeal in Wales since 2002, supporting fundraising for a children's hospital.

She and Michael Douglas officially opened the Children's Hospital for Wales in 2006 and they visited again last year when a gala ball raised £250,000 in her honour.

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