In a candid interview with "The Times", Sir Ian McKellen, the esteemed 85-year-old actor, shared his thoughts on the challenges of royal life, with a particular focus on Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex. McKellen, known for his distinguished career and sharp wit, didn't hold back in expressing his views on the difficulties of existing within the British monarchy.

 

 

Reflecting on Prince Harry's experiences, McKellen suggested that the Duke might not have been intellectually equipped to navigate the complexities of royal life. "Hats off to anyone who manages to stay sane in that world," he said, before speculating, "As for Harry, he’s probably not bright enough or doesn’t have the right friends to really help himself."

 

Despite his critique, McKellen expressed empathy towards the Prince, emphasizing that he was "most definitely on Harry’s side." McKellen's observations seemed to be influenced by his recent reading of Prince Harry's memoir, *Spare*, which recounts the Duke's personal struggles and revelations. The actor acknowledged the immense pressure faced by members of the royal family, noting that even those who appeared to cope, such as the late Duke of Edinburgh and the current King, seemed to carry deep scars. "The Duke of Edinburgh managed to stay sane in that world, 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," McKellen reflected.

 

Beyond his commentary on Prince Harry, Sir Ian also shared his personal experiences with the late Queen Elizabeth II, who knighted him in 1991 and awarded him a Companion of Honour medal in 2008 for his contributions to drama and equality. McKellen did not shy away from critiquing the Queen's demeanor during their encounters, describing her as "bloody rude" and speculating that she was "quite mad at the end."

 

Recalling a specific incident, McKellen recounted how the Queen's remarks during a medal ceremony left him feeling dismissed. "When I received a medal for acting, she said, ‘You’ve been doing this for an awfully long time.’ I said, ‘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. It meant, ‘Does anyone care a f--- about you because I don’t. Now off you go!’" McKellen added that the Queen's handshake during the encounter felt like a dismissal, as she pushed him away when he tried to take her hand.

 

 

In reflecting on the lives of the royal family, McKellen expressed a degree of sympathy, acknowledging the difficulties of being born into such a public and constrained existence. "Imagine being born into the Royal family. 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?"

 

McKellen, who is currently recovering from a fall during a performance at the Noel Coward Theatre in June, has been taking time off from acting to recuperate. Despite his recent injuries, the two-time Oscar nominee hinted at a potential return to his iconic role as Gandalf in a new *Lord of the Rings* film being planned by Warner Bros. As he continues to recover, his candid reflections offer a rare glimpse into his personal views on the British monarchy and the individuals within it.

 

Credit: Daily Telegraph 2024-09-10

 

 

 

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What a cowardly low move, waiting until the Queen was dead before coming out and telling tales about her. No surprise he sides with a traitor like Harry. Two peas in a pod. 

 

Obviously it didn't stop him taking the Knighthood. No no. He'll have that.  

 

Typical hypocritical leftist luvvy. 

It must be quite special to live in a country where those kinds of views are not punishable with draconian prison sentences. 

2 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

It must be quite special to live in a country where those kinds of views are not punishable with draconian prison sentences. 

 

Well Starmer has always been a Republican so he probably enjoys this type of rubbish. 

 

Prison sentences in the UK are reserved for people posting about illegal immigration on FaceBook. 

 

Child Rapists and the like walk free due to lack of prison spaces.

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13768989/child-rapist-spared-jail-prison-overcrowding.html

3 hours ago, JonnyF said:

What a cowardly low move, waiting until the Queen was dead before coming out and telling tales about her. No surprise he sides with a traitor like Harry. Two peas in a pod. 

 

Obviously it didn't stop him taking the Knighthood. No no. He'll have that.  

 

Typical hypocritical leftist luvvy. 

 

Agree. What an ungrateful peasant.

9 hours ago, Social Media said:

They can’t do anything normal. Can you imagine having to be nice to everyone you talk to?

 

A bit funny, when at the same time he relayed his experience of the late Queen NOT being nice to him. Which one is it then?

2 hours ago, nauseus said:

 

Agree. What an ungrateful peasant.

 

It's amazing how so many of the actors in the Harry Potter films have turned out to be complete tools. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Miriam Margoyles and now Ian McKellen. 

 

It's like the Superman curse, but worse. 😃

 

At least JK Rowling still has some common sense. 

It's interesting how McKellen, after all these years, has such strong opinions about the royals, especially Harry.

On 9/10/2024 at 3:06 AM, JonnyF said:

 

Well Starmer has always been a Republican so he probably enjoys this type of rubbish. 

 

Prison sentences in the UK are reserved for people posting about illegal immigration on FaceBook. 

 

Child Rapists and the like walk free due to lack of prison spaces.

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13768989/child-rapist-spared-jail-prison-overcrowding.html

 

A bit disingenuous there @JonnyF

First of all, he was convicted  and handed a suspended sentence, in December, when the Conservatives were in charge.

Secondly, 'Child rapist' makes it sound like an adult raping a child. But they were both fourteen years old.

Raise your standards, please.

 

 

On 9/11/2024 at 2:25 PM, Mediappy said:

It's interesting how McKellen, after all these years, has such strong opinions about the royals, especially Harry.

What really strikes me is how Harry’s been able to break away from the royal life and still find success. I mean, stepping back from everything must have been tough, but with deals like Netflix, Spotify, and his book, his prince harry net worth has only been growing. Regardless of how people feel about him, he's managed to carve out a completely different life for himself, which is pretty wild considering where he started.

Edited September 25, 20241 yr by Mediappy

9 minutes ago, Mediappy said:

What really strikes me is how Harry’s been able to break away from the royal life and still find success. I mean, stepping back from everything must have been tough, but with deals like Netflix, Spotify, and his book, his prince harry net worth has only been growing. Regardless of how people feel about him, he's managed to carve out a completely different life for himself, which is pretty wild considering where he started.

 

   Since then he's failed in the USA and he is trying to get back to being a Royal again in the UK