Ian McKellen Says Queen Elizabeth Was 'Quite Rude' and King Charles Is 'Clearly Damaged'

Mar. 15, 2025

Sir Ian McKellanhas some thoughts about the royal family.In an interview withThe Timesin the U.K. published on Friday, Sept. 6, the actor recalled his first interaction with thelate Queen Elizabeth. “The Queen, I’m sure she was quite mad at the end,”McKellan, 85, said. “And on the few occasions I met her she was quite rude.““When I received a medal for acting [the Companion of Honor in 2008], she said, ‘You’ve been doing this for an awfully long time.' " McKellan responded, hoping the joke would land: “Well, not as long as you.““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,” he continued. “It meant, ‘Does anyone care a f*** about you because I don’t. Now off you go!’ ”Queen Elizabeth and Ian McKellan in 2008.AlamyTheLord of the Ringsalum also said, “Hats off to anyone who manages to stay sane in that world,” referring to the Queen’s husband,Prince Philip, who died in 2021. “Although even he was deeply, deeply eccentric and I suspect deeply unhappy.““Same with the present king,” he continued, referring toKing Charles. “He sort of survives, but he is clearly damaged.“Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!Elsewhere in the interview, McKellan spoke aboutPrince Harry, whostepped back from his role as a senior working royalin 2020. The actor said he is “most definitely on Harry’s side.” The publication noted thatHarry’s memoirSparewas “open on the table in front of him” at the time of the interview.“Imagine being born into the royal family,” the actor said. “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?“McKellan added that Harry, 39, is “probably not bright enough or doesn’t have the right friends to really help himself.” “Mind you, he had the pick of all the pretty women in the world. I hope he’s got the right one.”McKellan has been vocal about his royal family interactions. He sharedanother anecdote in 2018 about the royal familyduring an appearance onThe Graham Norton Show. The two-time Oscar nominee claimed he andDame Judi Denchhad sat on Queen Elizabeth’s throne while attending a banquet at Buckingham Palace.“We went on dancing around the corner, and we found ourselves behind the band, and there behind this sort of partition was the thrones…so we sat on them,” McKellan said at the time.He added jokingly, “It brings out the worst in you, Buckingham Palace.”

Sir Ian McKellanhas some thoughts about the royal family.

In an interview withThe Timesin the U.K. published on Friday, Sept. 6, the actor recalled his first interaction with thelate Queen Elizabeth. “The Queen, I’m sure she was quite mad at the end,”McKellan, 85, said. “And on the few occasions I met her she was quite rude.”

“When I received a medal for acting [the Companion of Honor in 2008], she said, ‘You’ve been doing this for an awfully long time.' " McKellan responded, hoping the joke would land: “Well, not as long as you.”

“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,” he continued. “It meant, ‘Does anyone care a f*** about you because I don’t. Now off you go!’ ”

Queen Elizabeth and Ian McKellan in 2008.Alamy

Alamy

TheLord of the Ringsalum also said, “Hats off to anyone who manages to stay sane in that world,” referring to the Queen’s husband,Prince Philip, who died in 2021. “Although even he was deeply, deeply eccentric and I suspect deeply unhappy.”

“Same with the present king,” he continued, referring toKing Charles. “He sort of survives, but he is clearly damaged.”

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Elsewhere in the interview, McKellan spoke aboutPrince Harry, whostepped back from his role as a senior working royalin 2020. The actor said he is “most definitely on Harry’s side.” The publication noted thatHarry’s memoirSparewas “open on the table in front of him” at the time of the interview.

“Imagine being born into the royal family,” the actor said. “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?”

McKellan added that Harry, 39, is “probably not bright enough or doesn’t have the right friends to really help himself.” “Mind you, he had the pick of all the pretty women in the world. I hope he’s got the right one.”

McKellan has been vocal about his royal family interactions. He sharedanother anecdote in 2018 about the royal familyduring an appearance onThe Graham Norton Show. The two-time Oscar nominee claimed he andDame Judi Denchhad sat on Queen Elizabeth’s throne while attending a banquet at Buckingham Palace.

“We went on dancing around the corner, and we found ourselves behind the band, and there behind this sort of partition was the thrones…so we sat on them,” McKellan said at the time.

He added jokingly, “It brings out the worst in you, Buckingham Palace.”

source: people.com