Angelina Jolie has released a statement expressing her delight at receiving an honorary damehood on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Jolie was honoured for her services to UK foreign policy and her tireless efforts to try and stop rape being used as a weapon of war.

Angelina Jolie honorary damehoodThis week Jolie and Pitt, pictured with William Hague, have been in the UK to attend a PSVI summit

The Maleficent actress has been working with the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative and has been with Brad Pitt in the United Kingdom over the past week to attend a summit in London. She said in the statement: “To receive an honour related to foreign policy means a great deal to me, as it is what I wish to dedicate my life woking to. Working on PSVI [Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative] and with survivors of rape is an honour in itself. I know that succeeding in our goals will take a lifetime, and I am dedicated to it for all of mine.”

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Jolie has recently expressed an interest in retiring from acting to focus more on directing and her humanitarian work. Speaking at a Maleficent press conference she revealed: “I’ve had a wonderful career and I’m happy to have had all those opportunities to tell stories and work for as long as I have. But I’m able to be selective and I would like to focus more on writing and directing; and above all I would like to focus more on my work with the UN and with PSVI.”

Angelina Jolie honorary damehoodAngelina Jolie has received an honorary damehood for her humanitarian work and services to UK foreign policy

Among other stars recognised on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List were three-time Academy Award-winning actor Daniel Day Lewis, who received a knighthood, and actress Maggie Smith, who received a further honour in addition to being a Dame.

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