Amal Clooney made her first ever public speech about husband George last night as he collected the AFI Life Achievement Award Tribute at the Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre.
The human rights lawyer, who wore a beautiful pink Prada gown for the occasion, spoke candidly about how her partner made her feel, both when they first started dating and now. Although she admitted she was nervous about delivering the speech, it went down a storm – the actor was left misty-eyed by her words, and the two kissed when she returned to their table.
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“I met George when I was 35 and starting to become quite resigned to the idea that I was going to be a spinster,” she said. “Then we met and started hiding out in my London flat and very soon it felt like, no matter what happened, I would never want to be with anyone else.”
As well as extolling his professional virtues, she also talked about him as a father to their one-year-old twins, Ella and Alexander.
“Seeing you with our children, Ella and Alexander, is the greatest joy in my life,” she said. “You fill our home with laughter and happiness and that’s even before the children have worked out that ‘da-da’ is Batman, a talking fox, and friends with Mary Poppins.”
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Read the touching speech in full below:
“It’s somehow easier for me to address a court on behalf of a detainee, than to speak publicly as I am doing for the first time tonight about my husband… I do so out of immense pride of all he has achieved. Here are a few things you may not know about [George]. First, he is a gentleman. He is a gentleman in every sense of the word and in a way that seems so rare these days and perhaps even outdated…
“Everyone who knows him, even those who oppose him politically or who have quarrelled with him professionally, will tell you, he has not forgotten his Kentucky manners. On every set I visit, I’m told by crew that George sticks up for the most vulnerable…
“Although George modestly attributes much of the success we are celebrating here to luck, I think it’s incredible talent and character that got him here. And these attributes also make him an amazing husband and father. I met George when I was 35 and starting to become quite resigned to the idea that I was going to be a spinster. Then we met and started hiding out in my London flat and very soon it felt like, no matter what happened, I would never want to be with anyone else…
“I couldn’t sleep when we were apart and I’m told that I would display a particular grin and head-tilt when reading his text messages or the letters he would hide in my bag. Five years later, none of that has changed. He is the person who has my complete admiration and also the person whose smile makes me melt every time.
“My love, what I have found with you is the great love I always hoped existed. And seeing you with our children, Ella and Alexander, is the greatest joy in my life…
“You fill our home with laughter and happiness and that’s even before the children have worked out that ‘da-da’ is Batman, a talking fox, and friends with Mary Poppins. I’m so proud of you my love. Congratulations on this great honour that you’re receiving tonight. I’m proud of you, but I also know that when our children find out not only what you have done, but who you are, they will be so proud of you too.”
From: Harper’s BAZAAR UK
