Sir Ian McKellen brands Queen Elizabeth II ‘rude’ in jibe at Royal Family

Virgin Radio

6 Sep 2024, 14:27

Lord of the Rings legend Sir Ian McKellen pulls no punches as he recalls an awkward run-in with Queen Elizabeth II, takes aim at King Charles, and weighs in on Prince Harry's royal dramas.

Sir Ian McKellen, beloved for his role as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings, has shared some brutally honest reflections about the late Queen Elizabeth II and her family.

Despite receiving several honours from the Queen, including a Knighthood and a Companion of Honour, the legendary actor revealed that his interactions with Her Majesty were less than magical.

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In a candid interview with The Times, McKellen didn’t hold back, describing the late monarch as 'bloody rude' during their meetings.

Though he met the Queen on several occasions, he recalled one particularly frosty encounter in 2007 when she awarded him the Companion of Honour medal.

"She told me, 'You’ve been doing this a long time,'" Sir Ian remembered.

But it was what followed that really stuck with him. According to the actor, Queen Elizabeth asked: "Does anyone actually still go to the theatre?"

McKellen found the comment particularly cutting.

"It was bloody rude," he remarked, feeling the Queen’s dismissive handshake was her way of telling him: "Does anyone care a f*** about you because I don’t. Now off you go!"

The outspoken thespian, who is no stranger to royalty after receiving a CBE in 1979 and a Knighthood in 1991 for services to the performing arts, made it clear that his encounters with the Queen were far from the fairy-tale brush with royalty one might expect.

In fact, McKellen cheekily remarked: "The Queen, I’m sure she was quite mad at the end. And on the few occasions I met her she was quite rude."

And it’s not just Queen Elizabeth II who came under fire. McKellen also directed some barbed remarks at the current monarch, King Charles III, and his late father, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

"Hats off to anyone who manages to stay sane in that world," McKellen quipped, admitting that while Philip may have survived royal life, he was "deeply eccentric and I suspect deeply unhappy."

As for King Charles? Sir Ian wasn’t convinced.

"He sort of survives, but he is clearly damaged," he said, casting a shadow over the current reign.

Of course, no discussion about royal turbulence would be complete without a mention of Prince Harry.

McKellen had some sharp words for the Duke of Sussex, suggesting Harry might not have the best support system around him.

"As for Harry, he’s probably not bright enough or doesn’t have the right friends to really help himself," the X-Men star commented.

But ever the romantic, McKellen added a playful jab: "Mind you, he had the pick of all the pretty women in the world. I hope he’s got the right one."

Despite his biting remarks about royalty, McKellen hinted at something far more magical—his potential return as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings franchise.

"I’m not letting anyone else put on the pointy hat and beard if I can help it," he teased, reminding fans that he still holds the staff when it comes to playing the iconic wizard.

But even Gandalf himself isn’t immune to the occasional stumble. While performing in Player Kings in London’s West End this summer, McKellen had a dramatic fall into the audience.

Ever the showman, he reassured fans that his 'fat suit' saved him from serious injury. Although he’s been spotted wearing a neck brace—disguised with a scarf, of course—McKellen insists he’s 'on the mend.'

Meanwhile, virginradio.co.uk were at the European Premiere of Mckellen's new film, The Critic on Monday 2nd September.

Speaking about the premise of the film on the Chris Evans Breakfast Show, co-star Gemma Arterton said of the film: “It's set in 1930s London, so pre-war, and it's about a theatre critic, and it's all set in the world of theatre. I'm an actress that's trying to be a star, but it's not quite there yet, and this theatre critic just keeps on completely, sort of giving me the worst reviews of my life.

“It was based on a book called Curtain Call by Anthony Quinn, and it's been adapted by Patrick Marber, who's a genius who did Notes on a Scandal and Closer.”

Read what the third star of the film, Mark Strong, said about working with Sir Ian McKellen here.

The Critic will be released in cinemas on Friday, 13th September.