The 85-year-old veteran British actor was knighted for his contributions to the performing arts in 1991 and met the Queen at least once when she personally appointed him Companion of Honour (CH) for his work in drama and equality in 2008.
The Lord of the Rings star expressed his belief that the late monarch was “quite mad at the end” as he recounted some uncomfortable interactions with her.
“The Queen, I’m sure she was quite mad at the end. And on the few occasions I met her she was quite rude,” he told The Times. “When I received a medal for acting (the Companion of Honour in 2008), she said, ‘You’ve been doing this for an awfully long time.’
“I said, ‘Well, not as long as you.’ I got a royal smile for that, but then she said, ‘Does anyone still actually go to the theatre?’”
“That’s bloody rude when you’re giving someone a medal for acting. It meant, ‘Does anyone care a f*** about you because I don’t. Now off you go!’”
The actor from Burnley continued by illustrating how the late Queen greeted him, claiming she “shoved” him away when he extended his hand, adding: “That was her handshake and it meant, ‘Go! Go!’”
In the same interview, Sir Ian expressed his support for Prince Harry amidst the duke’s ongoing estrangement from his brother and father.
