THE King has paid tribute to “national treasure” Dame Maggie Smith following her death today aged 89.
King Charles expressed his sadness at the death of the Harry Potter and Downtown Abbey actress whose career spanned 70 years.
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He 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.”
Smith was among the stars in attendance at the King’s coronation at Westminster Abbey last year.
She frequently joined the King at Sandringham Flower Show along with fellow national treasure Dame Judi Dench.
Her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens said she died in hospital early this morning.
In a statement issued via their publicist, they said: “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith.
“She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday September 27.
“An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end.”