Queen Camilla has opened on her love for the late Dame Maggie Smith in emotional exchange with the actress’s son.
The 77-year-old referred to the actress’s death as “sad for the whole country”.
Her Majesty described the Downton Abbey and Harry Potter star as a “legend” and in a tribute said: “We really loved her.”
She said she was “so sorry” to learn of her death in September.
Queen Camilla has opened on her love for the late Dame Maggie Smith in emotional exchange with the actress’s son
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The emotional exchange with Toby Stephens, the late actress’s son, took place at Buckingham Palace where the Queen hosted a reception for her Commonwealth Essay Competition on Thursday.
The actor replied to the tribute: “Well, vice versa.”
Dame Maggie, who died on September 27 aged 89, was known for her roles in Harry Potter, Downton Abbey and the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
The Queen added: “It’s just sad for the whole country, she was a legend.
Camilla congratulated everyone who took part in the essay competition in a speech
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She thanked Stephens for his guest appearance at the reception.
The King and Queen released a written tribute following her death where they described the 89-year-old as a national treasure.
Mr Stephens joined Clive Myrie, Tanya Reynolds and Richard Ayoade in reading excerpts of stories from the finalists of the essay prize, the longest-running competition of its kind in the world.
Camilla congratulated everyone who took part in the essay competition in a speech.
Camilla complemented all the finalists on the “amazing journeys” they took their audiences on
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The Queen said: “Yet again, we have had a record-breaking year, with 35,000 entries from 54 Commonwealth countries, including 11 from Samoa and over 200 from Australia: two places that my husband and I were lucky enough to visit last month.”
Camilla complemented all the finalists on the “amazing journeys” they took their audiences on.
She added: “Your readers are taken on amazing journeys with you across the Commonwealth, from Gambia to Grenada, from Bangladesh to Botswana, from Malta to Malaysia.”
“You make us part of your story; you invite us to share your concerns and your passions; and you eloquently express the power of Our Common Wealth.”