LONDON – The four-legged stars of the Oscar-winning film "The Queen" are the winners of Britain's first-ever Fido Awards for canine cinematic excellence.
Poppy, Anna, Alice, Oliver and Megan — five corgis who appeared alongside Helen Mirren in the film about Queen Elizabeth II — were named best historical hounds during a ceremony at London's South Bank arts center Sunday. They beat dogs from the thespian drama "Moliere" and Joy Division biopic "Control."
The corgis also took the ceremony's top accolade, "best in world."
Mirren won a best-actress Academy Award for playing the British monarch in the movie, set after the 1997 death of Princess Diana. Mirren, who is filming in the United States, sent a message praising her co-stars.
"I know one should avoid acting with animals and children, but these little chaps were a pleasure to work with and deserve all the plaudits for their fine performances," she said.
The queen's love of corgis is well known. She has owned more than 30 of the breed during her 55-year reign.
The Fidos call themselves the world's first-ever international awards ceremony for canine screen stars. They were presented in conjunction with the London Film Festival, which runs until Thursday.
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