Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla have led tributes to the stage and screen legend Maggie Smith following her death at the age of 89.
In a statement on X, King Charles said: "As the curtain comes down on a national treasure, we join all those around the world in remembering with the fondest admiration and affection for her many great performances and her warmth and wit that shone through both off and on the stage."
A message of condolence from His Majesty The King following the passing of Dame Maggie Smith. pic.twitter.com/SiKw8EEHva
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 27, 2024
He added: "She loved being in Dublin and had fond memories of working on The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne. It was a great privilege to have known and worked with her."
The American actress Whoopi Goldberg was one of the nany stars paying tribute to Maggie Smith, saying she felt "lucky" to have worked alongside her.
The actors starred together in Sister Act, with Smith playing Reverend Mother Superior while Goldberg portrayed Deloris Van Cartier.
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Goldberg shared a picture of the two on the set of the film, dressed as nuns, on Instagram and described Smith as a "great woman".
She wrote, "Maggie Smith was a great woman and a brilliant actress. I still can't believe I was lucky enough to work with the 'one-of-a-kind'. My heartfelt condolences go out to the family… RIP."
Actor Hugh Bonneville, who played the son of Smith's character in Downton Abbey, said in a statement: "Anyone who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable talent.
A true British icon. Thank you for everything, Dame Maggie Smith. pic.twitter.com/FM3aQjv5Rq
— Downton Abbey (@DowntonAbbey) September 27, 2024
"She was a true legend of her generation and thankfully will live on in so many magnificent screen performances.
"My condolences to her boys and wider family."
Kristin Scott Thomas said Smith "saw through the nonsense and razzmatazz" of acting and "had a sense of humour and wit that could reduce me to a blithering puddle of giggles".
She starred opposite Smith in the 2014 drama My Old Lady and wrote on Instagram: "So very, very sad to know she has gone. She was a true inspiration. She took acting very seriously but saw through the nonsense and razzmatazz.
"She really didn't want to deal with that. She had a sense of humour and wit that could reduce me to a blithering puddle of giggles. And she did not have patience with fools."
Thomas said that you "had to be a bit careful", but she "absolutely adored her". She called Smith's comedic timing "perfection" and vulnerable roles "heartbreaking".
She added: "The last time I saw her she was very cross about being old. 'Maddening', I think she said."
The American actor Rob Lowe, who appeared with Smith in the 1993 BBC drama Suddenly, Last Summer, described his late co-star as a "lion".
Saddened to hear Dame Maggie Smith has passed. I had the unforgettable experience of working with her; sharing a two-shot was like being paired with a lion. She could eat anyone alive, and often did. But funny, and great company. And suffered no fools. We will never see another.… pic.twitter.com/wjJCL7FqWf
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) September 27, 2024
In a post on X, he wrote: "Saddened to hear Dame Maggie Smith has passed. I had the unforgettable experience of working with her; sharing a two-shot was like being paired with a lion.
"She could eat anyone alive, and often did. But funny, and great company. And suffered no fools. We will never see another. God speed, Ms. Smith!"
Downton Abbey actor Dan Stevens also paid tribute on his Instagram Story, writing "Truly one of The Greats. RIP" alongside two pictures of his former co-star.
Maggie Smith: A Life in Pictures
In his moving tribute, Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe said: "The first time I met Maggie Smith I was nine years old and we were reading through scenes for David Copperfield, which was my first job.
"I knew virtually nothing about her other than that my parents were awestruck at the fact that I would be working with her.
"The other thing I knew about her was that she was a Dame, so the first thing I asked her when we met was 'Would you like me to call you Dame?' at which she laughed and said something to the effect of 'Don't be ridiculous!'
"I remember feeling nervous to meet her and then her putting me immediately at ease. She was incredibly kind to me on that shoot, and then I was lucky enough to go on working with her for another 10 years on the Harry Potter films.
"She was a fierce intellect, a gloriously sharp tongue, could intimidate and charm in the same instant and was, as everyone will tell you, extremely funny.
"I will always consider myself amazingly lucky to have been able to work with her and to spend time around her on set. The word legend is overused, but if it applies to anyone in our industry, then it applies to her. Thank you Maggie."
Source: Press Association
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