'She Was a Legend': Queen Camilla Praises Late Dame Maggie Smith in Heartfelt Tribute
Queen Camilla, like many, was reportedly a 'devoted Maggie Smith fan,' and has paid her respects publicly to the acting 'legend.'
Queen Camilla, 77, met with the late Dame Maggie Smith's son, Toby Stephens, 55, at a Buckingham Palace reception on Thursday, November 21, where Her Majesty praised the acting icon who died in September.
"We really loved her, and had so much fun with her," the Queen told Stephens.
He replied: "Well, vice versa."
King Charles III's consort responded, "It's just sad for the whole country, she was a legend."
Upon the death of the Academy Award winner on September 27, the King and Queen shared in a statement, "As the curtain comes down on a national treasure, we join all those around the world in remembering with the fondest admiration and affection her many great performances, and her warmth and wit that shone through both off and on the stage."
Smith, one of Britain’s most celebrated actresses, enjoyed a notable association with the British royal family through her decades of distinguished contributions to the arts.
In 1970, one year after winning the Best Actress Oscar for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, she was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), and in 1990, she was elevated to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of her "exceptional services to drama." Dame is the feminine equivalent of a Knight in British royal honors.
Over the years, Smith participated in various royal events and performances, showcasing British culture and the arts, which are closely supported by the monarchy.
Her role in the acclaimed series Downton Abbey, which explores themes of the British aristocracy, further connected her work to royal interests, as members of the royal family, including Catherine, Princess of Wales, are known fans of the show. While the screen and stage legend had no direct personal ties to the royal family, numerous members are said to have adored her work.
King Charles, while Prince of Wales in 2015, even hosted an 80th birthday party for the actress, with Smith being formally invited to attend his coronation at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023.
His Majesty has long championed the performing arts and recently attended the premiere of Gladiator II in London on Friday, November 15. During a reception beforehand at Buckingham Palace, His Majesty admitted to breaking down "in tears" during another recent experience.
The King admitted he was "very proud" of a new documentary about his wife called Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors.
Tributes poured in from all over the world when after Smith's death, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer sharing that the Dame was "a true national treasure whose work will be cherished for generations to come."
He added how she "introduced us to new worlds with the countless stories she acted over her long career."
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Bang Showbiz reported on the Queen's tribute.
