Joely Richardson looks back: Natasha's death was life-changing. She was a figurehead to me'

"I remember this as a happy day, but my eyes tell a different story. They look a little mistrustful. In my arms is my brother Carlo we have different fathers; his is Italian actor Franco Nero. That day was Carlo's christening, and it was obvious from my hand position that I'm not used to standing like that. Someone's gone: Put your arms out! We're taking a picture of you holding the baby! The whole thing looks awkward."

"Before the ceremony, I'd gone down to the Italian version of the local Woolworths to pick out an outfit. I didn't usually wear dresses I was more of a tomboy so this felt like a special occasion. The only other time I'd worn anything fancy was as an extra in one of my father's films, The Charge of the Light Brigade, but because my hair was cropped short, they put me in a strange little pageboy outfit."

"As a result, I was thrilled to wear this frilly nylon dress, even if I do look shy and ill at ease in it. When I became a teenager, my form of rebellion was sports I wanted to do anything but act professionally Growing up, I was always mischievous and naughty running around, putting on plays, inventing characters."

Joely Richardson was born in London in 1965, the daughter of Vanessa Redgrave and Tony Richardson. She trained at RADA and achieved prominence through film, television and theatre, including 101 Dalmatians, Nip/Tuck, The Tudors, Broadway, Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen, and Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. Richardson campaigns for Save the Children's Christmas Jumper Day and backs its Christmas campaign. A childhood memory shows her holding brother Carlo at his christening, feeling shy in a frilly dress despite a tomboy upbringing. She grew up mischievous in a creative environment where the culture of fame was less intense.

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