Praise for Oscar-winning actress’s ‘warmth and wit’ after her sons say she passed away peacefully in hospital aged 89
The King has led tributes to British stage and screen star Dame Maggie Smith, who has died at the age of 89.
Her two sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, announced that she had passed away peacefully in hospital early on Friday morning.
“An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end,” they said in a statement issued via their publicist. “She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.”
Paying tribute, the King said: “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.”
She wrote in her post: “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.”
Gyles Brandreth, the television presenter, said: “The saddest news: the death of Dame Maggie Smith marks the end of a golden era & a quite extraordinary life.
“She was a truly great actress, ‘one of the greats’ & simply the best company: wise, witty, waspish, wonderful.
“One of a kind in every way and consequently irreplaceable.”
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