King Charles and Queen Camilla Speak Out Following Maggie Smith's Death: 'A National Treasure'

Mar. 15, 2025

King CharlesandQueen Camillaare rememberingDame Maggie Smith.

On Sept. 27, the King released a statement following thedistinguished British actress' deathat age 89.

“My wife and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dame Maggie Smith. 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 on and off the stage,” the King said in a statement.

The monarch signed the message “Charles R,” using hisregnal signature.

Then-Prince Charles and Maggie Smith at the Pride of Britain Awards in London on Oct. 31, 2016.Adam Gerrard - WPA Pool/Getty

Adam Gerrard - WPA Pool/Getty

A celebrated actress and two-timeAcademy Awardwinner, Smith was well-known for her performances as Professor Minerva McGonagall in theHarry Potterfranchise as well as Violet Crawley in theDownton Abbeyseries, among other accolades.

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The beloved actress was named a Commander of the British Empire in 1969, a Dame Commander in 1990 and was recognized as a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour in 2014,The New York Timesreported.

Smith crossed paths with several members of the royal family through the years, and King Charles' team shared his condolences with a photo of them meeting at the Pride of Britain Awards in London in 2016.

source: people.com