The legendary actor, knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, calls royal life "a prison" and backs Prince Harry
Sir Ian McKellen, the renowned British actor, has made a series of strong comments about members of the Royal Family, including sharp critiques of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III, and Prince Harry. Despite his criticisms, the 85-year-old actor firmly expressed his support for Prince Harry, stating, "I'm definitely on Prince Harry's side."
In an interview with The Times, McKellen reflected on the challenges of royal life, describing it as "a prison" and suggesting that Prince Harry struggled to find the right support system. He went on to remark that King Charles has been "clearly damaged" by his time in the royal spotlight and that Prince Philip appeared "deeply unhappy."
McKellen, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991, also shared a candid story from his 2008 Companion of Honour medal ceremony, where the Queen allegedly made a dismissive remark about the theatre, asking, "Does anyone actually still go to the theatre?" McKellen described the comment as "bl**dy rude" and recalled the Queen's handshake as a signal for him to "go away."
Despite his criticisms of the Royal Family, McKellen praised those who have managed to stay grounded in such a challenging environment, stating, "Hats off to anyone who manages to stay sane in that world."
