01:22 AM EDT 10/08/2008

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Helen Mirren

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Helen Mirren Shocker: I 'Loved Coke'

Helen Mirren Shocker: I 'Loved Coke' & Was Date Raped

Originally posted 09/02/2008 09:00AM

Helen Mirren makes some startling revelations – she was date raped more than once and has tried several illegal drugs – in a revealing new interview with the British edition of GQ.

"I was, yes. A couple of times," the Oscar-winning Queen actress says in the October issue, recalling her experiences being raped as a youth in London. "Not with excessive violence, or being hit, but rather being locked in a room and made to have sex against my will."

And while Mirren defended a woman's right to say "no" at any point, she's not always in favor of reporting such attacks.

"I don't think [a woman] can have that man into court under those circumstances," she continued, "It's such a tricky area, isn't it? Especially if there is no violence. I mean, look at Mike Tyson. I don't think he was a rapist."

Mirren, 63, also admits she took illegal drugs – including marijuana and LSD – as a teen. "I loved coke," she continues. "I never did a lot, just a little bit at parties." (She also says she hasn't touched the drug in more than 20 years.)

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The Queen's Helen Mirren Meets the Real Queen

Helen Mirren

The Queen's Helen Mirren Meets the Real Queen

Originally posted 06/20/2008 11:30AM

Helen Mirren, who won an Oscar for playing Queen Elizabeth II in 2006's The Queen, came face-to-face with the real Queen yesterday at the Royal Ascot race meeting near Windsor, England, PEOPLE has confirmed.

The British star, 62, had turned down an invitation to Buckingham Palace last year in the aftermath of her Oscar triumph. But all was forgiven as she had tea with Queen Elizabeth II in the royal box at the Royal Ascot race meeting on Thursday. The pair spent nearly an hour chatting and enjoying English traditional cucumber sandwiches and cakes with their tea.

Just hours earlier, Mirren presented a race trophy and then explained to PEOPLE why she declined last year's invitation, which conflicted with her shooting schedule on National Treasure 2. "I spoke to Buckingham Palace after I was invited and told them that I was filming in South Dakota and couldn't be in two places at once," said Mirren. "There was no snub and I would love to meet the Queen. It would be a great honor."

A couple of hours later, her wish came true.

The actress had met the Queen once before, but not since portraying her in The Queen.

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Helen Mirren's Costar Corgis Win Top Dog Award | The Queen, Helen Mirren

Movie News

Helen Mirren's Costar Corgis Win Top Dog Award

Originally posted 10/29/2007 01:00PM

Movie awards are going to the dogs – Helen Mirren's costar Corgis, that is.

Poppy, Anna, Alice, Oliver and Megan played alongside the actress as she gave her Oscar-winning performance as The Queen, and have been named top dogs at the Fido Film Awards.

"I know one should avoid acting with animals and children," Mirren said. "But these little chaps were a pleasure to work with and deserve all the plaudits for their fine performances."

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Blond Bond, Helen Mirren Score BAFTA Nods

Red Carpet 2007

Blond Bond, Helen Mirren Score BAFTA Nominations

Originally posted 01/12/2007 07:00AM

Two British icons, the Queen and James Bond, led the list of nominees Friday for the Orange British Academy Film Awards – the U.K.'s version of the Oscars.

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It's a 'Great Wake-Up Call' for Globes Nominees

Golden Globes

It's a 'Great Wake-Up Call' for Globes Nominees

Originally posted 12/14/2006 02:00PM

For Brad Pitt, Will Smith, Clint Eastwood, Meryl Streep, Sacha Baron Cohen and the other Golden Globe nominees, Thursday morning's news might have come before dawn, but it didn't take long for the reality to set in.

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