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Privacy NoticeSir Ian McKellen has been criticised for making a “snide attack” on the late Queen, with some voices calling for him to return his knighthood. The esteemed actor, who’s 85, took a jab at the monarch by describing her as “rude” and seemingly “quite mad” in her later years. Concerned commentator and royal author Margaret Holder chimed in, suggesting: “Perhaps if Sir Ian feels so slighted by the Queen he could consider returning his knighthood, although he may regret that in the future.” She also noted Ian’s recent stage tumble in June, suggesting: “We have to remember this is an elderly man who had a nasty accident recently. Perhaps he may say something different in time to come.”
Sir Ian McKellen was knighted by the late Queen
(Image: (Image: Getty))
Reflecting on the comments, Dickie Arbiter, a former spokesman for the late Queen, questioned why Ian would accept his honour if he believed such things about her, reports the Express. Disapprovingly, Dickie pointed out: “Ian McKellen was being somewhat churlish and over the top suggesting the late Queen was rude when she asked if people ‘were still going to the theatre’.” He emphasised: “Theatres have complained for years about high costs and a lack of bums on seats – a perfectly legitimate question. If that’s how he felt, why accept the honour?” Dickie concluded: “It was a snide attack not expected of an intelligent man with such stature. The question is, did the late Queen really say that and, if so, why come out with it now? A cheap shot.” Sir Ian was honoured with a knighthood for his contribution to the performing arts in 1991, and Queen Elizabeth II named him a Companion of Honour in 2008 for his impact on drama and equality. Despite these accolades, the iconic actor from The Lord Of The Rings hasn’t shied away from making controversial comments about the Royal Family. In an interview about his new film The Critic, Ian 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.” But snapping back, Ms Holder defended: “Her Majesty the Queen was certainly not ‘quite mad’. Most people from staff to politicians say she was mentally sharp to the end of her life.” “As for her being ‘rude’ when Ian received his medal, the Queen usually had to move on to other people waiting for their medals, working a routine which made sure everyone being decorated had a few moments with her.” “She tried to treat celebrities and ordinary people the same way and most people treasured that time with her.” Royal expert Christopher Wilson chimed in saying: “If the Queen was rude to him, which I doubt, I expect he imagined it. There are almost no recorded instances of her being rude to anybody. He probably asked for it. Sir Ian may be a fantastic actor but he tends to seek the spotlight.” “And unfortunately for him, in those moments, the Queen overshadowed any lucky actor with a penchant for stirring the pot.” Ian shared a cheeky exchange with the Queen when he received his Companion of Honour award, as she quipped: “You’ve been doing this for an awfully long time.” To which he replied, “I said, ‘Well, not as long as you’.” But her next question took him aback: “I got a royal smile for that, but then she said, ‘Does anyone still actually go to the theatre?'” Sir Ian found the remark rather blunt, saying in an interview: “That’s bl**dy rude when you’re giving someone a medal for acting.” He interpreted it as, “It meant, ‘Does anyone care a f*** about you because I don’t. Now off you go! “‘ Reflecting on the pressures of Royal life, Sir Ian, famed for his Shakespearean roles, expressed concern for their mental health and suggested Prince Harry might lack the acumen for such a life. He remarked: “Hats off to anyone who manages to stay sane in that world.” “Like the Duke of Edinburgh, 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. As for Harry, he’s 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.” However, Sir Ian’s candid comments sparked outrage online, with accusations of hypocrisy. Jim Wolfie vented on X: “Ian McKellen claims the Queen was rude when asking, ‘Do people go to the theatre any more?’ But was happy to take the award from her and wait until after she died to try and besmirch her memory.” Ian, who is currently recovering at his East London home after a nasty fall from the stage during a production of Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre in London’s West End, has revealed that he considered declining his knighthood. However, he credits fellow actor and gay rights activist Michael Cashman for convincing him to accept the honour. He shared: “If I’d been a man of adamant principle I would have turned down the knighthood. The clincher was my friend Michael Cashman, who said, ‘Oh, Ian, it’ll be so useful’. And he was right. Being a knight opens doors.” He added: “I mean, look at Sir Keir Starmer. A big part of his success was that the BBC had to keep calling him ‘Sir Keir’. It made him sound terribly respectable. Poor old Boris Johnson doesn’t even have an MBE.” The unfortunate incident occurred three months ago when Sir Ian, playing John Falstaff, lost his balance during a fight scene and fell into the audience. The Oscar-nominated actor was rushed to hospital along with a member of the audience after suffering a chipped vertebrae and fractured wrist. Recalling the terrifying moment, Sir Ian said: “As I began gliding, I thought, this is the end. I didn’t know what it was the end of – certainly that performance – but, as I progressed, I was ready to accept I might be about to die.” “I shouted out, ‘Help me! ‘ and then, ‘I’m sorry’. And then finally I cried, ‘This isn’t me. I don’t do this! ‘ There’s nothing worse for a stage actor than to miss a performance.”
Queen Elizabeth II passed away in 2022
(Image: (Image: Getty))
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