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Privacy NoticeKing Charles and Queen Camilla have honoured Dame Maggie Smith with heartfelt words: “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.” The acclaimed actress passed away in hospital on Friday morning, as confirmed by her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens. They praised her as an “extraordinary mother and grandmother” while expressing their profound grief. “An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end,” they shared. In a touching message, her sons said: “She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days. We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”
Dame Maggie Smith has died at the age of 89
(Image: Getty Images)
Her family has expressed being “devastated” by her loss and have extended their gratitude to the NHS staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their efforts. Fans and friends, including Gyles Brandreth, have been paying their respects to the iconic actress after the announcement of her passing. Gyles took to X: “The saddest news: the death of Dame Maggie Smith marks the end of a golden era and a quite extraordinary life. She was a truly great actress, ‘one of the greats’ and simply the best company: wise, witty, waspish, wonderful. One of a kind in every way and consequently irreplaceable.” Fellow actor Omid Djalili shared his sorrow, saying: “We’ve lost one the best today. RIP Maggie Smith.”
King Charles paid tribute to Maggie
Dame Maggie’s exceptional talent won her Academy Awards for her performances in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and California Suite. She was also up for awards for her roles in Othello, Travels with My Aunt, Room With A View, and Gosford Park. Her legendary status was cemented when she appeared as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter series and as Violet Crawley on the hit series Downton Abbey.
Maggie starred in Downton Abbey
(Image: ITV)
Dame Maggie faced several health challenges in her later years, including a heart scare in 2012, battling breast cancer in 2007, and dealing with an autoimmune condition affecting her eyesight. Despite health concerns, the acclaimed actress never talked about retiring. Her latest film, The Miracle Club, released last year, sees her sharing the screen with stars like Kathy Bates and Laura Linney. Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnDownton AbbeyHarry PotterKing Charles IIIQueen Camilla
