Queen Camilla has expressed her sadness over the passing of beloved actress Maggie Smith, reflecting on how her loss was “sad for the whole country”.

Smith sadly passed away at the age of 89, on Friday, September 27, triggering an outpouring of grief from fans and colleagues alike.

During a reception at Buckingham Palace on Thursday, November 21, Camilla spoke with the late actress’ son, Toby Stephens, expressing how sorry she was for his loss.

“I’m so sorry, we really loved her and had so much fun with her,” she said.

Stephens replied: “Well, vice versa.”

“It’s just sad for the whole country, she was a legend. Thank you for coming,” Camilla added.

Camilla’s heartfelt words reflect the deep admiration shared by many for Smith, whose extraordinary career touched countless lives and left a lasting legacy in both the arts and popular culture.

Born December 28, 1934, Smith’s career began in 1952 as a student performer at the Oxford Playhouse, before making her professional debut on Broadway in New Faces of ’56. Over the years, she rose to prominence alongside Dame Judi Dench, becoming a pillar of British theatre, with notable performances for the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Smith’s Broadway career was equally remarkable, earning Tony Award nominations for her roles in Private Lives (1975) and Night and Day (1979). In 1990, she took home the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her performance in Lettice and Lovage.

On screen, Smith garnered two Academy Awards: Best Actress for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) and Best Supporting Actress for California Suite (1978). She received Oscar nominations for other standout performances in Othello (1965), Travels with My Aunt (1972), A Room with a View (1985), and Gosford Park (2001). Smith also became a beloved figure among younger audiences with her portrayal of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter series (2001–2011).

Her versatile talent shone through in films like Death on the Nile (1978), Sister Act (1992), The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012), and The Lady in the Van (2015). However, it was her role as Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey (2010–2015) that earned her widespread international acclaim and three Primetime Emmy Awards.

Throughout her career, Smith was honoured with numerous accolades, including a British Film Institute Fellowship (1993), a BAFTA Fellowship (1996), and the Society of London Theatre Special Award (2010). She was also made a dame in 1990 for her services to the arts by the late Queen Elizabeth.

Smith is survived by her two sons and five grandchildren.