Happy birthday Lena Headey !

The Game of Thrones star and former Shelley College pupil turned 41 today.

Fans of her cutthroat character Cersei Lannister will have to wait until next year for the fantasy epic to return to our screens, but Lena has certainly been keeping busy in the meantime.

The Huddersfield star presented an award at this year's glitzy Emmys ceremony in the US - but had to deal with an unusual gatecrasher to her speech...

Click below to watch the video

She has also joined her Game of Thrones co-star Natalie Dormer and singer Beverley Knight in backing a new campaign to end violence against girls worldwide.

The actress has posed with writing on her face as part of the Because I Am A Girl campaign run by global children’s charity Plan UK. Campaigners aim to help millions of girls in the world’s poorest communities live free from violence, particularly child marriage and FGM.

Huddersfield actress Lena Headey in the FaceUp campaign
Huddersfield actress Lena Headey in the FaceUp campaign

Earlier this year, Lena got to rub shoulders with royalty when the Queen visited one of the Game of Thrones sets in Belfast .

The Queen and Prince Philip spent time chatting with Lena and other stars of the show, including 17-year-old Maisie Williams, who plays the spirited Arya Stark, and 18-year-old Sophie Turner, who plays Arya's elder sister Sansa.

It's certainly been an eventful year for Lena so far - here's hoping she's got to put her feet up today as she celebrates turning 41.