Veteran British actor Ian McKellen, renowned for his role as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, has made a series of candid and controversial remarks about the British royal family.
In a recent interview with Michael Odell of The Times, the 85-year-old actor did not hold back as he described his experiences and opinions on several members of the monarchy.
McKellen recounted multiple encounters with the late Queen Elizabeth II. Reflecting on one such meeting, he recalled: “And on the few occasions I met her she was quite rude. When I received a medal for acting [the Companion of Honour in 2008], she said, ‘You’ve been doing this for an awfully long time.’ I said, ‘Well, not as long as you’.”
He continued: “I got a royal smile for that, but then she said, ‘Does anyone still actually go to the theatre?’ That’s bloody rude when you’re giving someone a medal for acting. It meant, ‘Does anyone care a f*** about you because I don’t. Now off you go!’.”
On Prince Harry
The actor also voiced support for Prince Harry, who stepped back from royal duties and relocated to the United States with his wife Meghan Markle. McKellen empathised with Harry’s situation, likening life within the royal family to a form of imprisonment.
“I’m most definitely on Harry’s side. Imagine being born into the royal family. I’ve been in public life a bit, but these people are in prison. They can’t do anything normal. Can you imagine having to be nice to everyone you talk to?,” he remarked.
However, McKellen also expressed concerns about Harry, suggesting he might not be “bright enough or doesn’t have the right friends” to fully navigate his challenges. “Mind you, he had the pick of all the pretty women in the world. I hope he’s got the right one,” he added.
On Prince Philip and King Charles
Additionally, McKellen addressed his perceptions of Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, and King Charles III. He described Philip as “deeply unhappy” and expressed concerns about Charles, who he believes is “clearly damaged” by his life in the royal family.
“Hats off to anyone who manages to stay sane in that world. Like the [late] Duke of Edinburgh managed to do, although even he was deeply, deeply eccentric and I suspect deeply unhappy. Same with the present king. He sort of survives, but he is clearly damaged,” he stated.
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