The Queen director Stephen Frears will reign over the 60th annual Cannes Film Festival in France in May after being named this year’s Jury President.

Frears won a special jury prize at Cannes in 1987 for his Joe Orton biopic Prick Up Your Ears.

In a written statement, the thrilled British moviemaker quipped, “God bless Cannes! (as well as the queen).”