‘Lord Of The Rings’ Star Ian McKellen Reveals The Queen Was “Bloody Rude” When She Met Him

The late Queen Elizabeth II was famous for never voicing her opinion in public on any subject save her favourite pastime, horse racing, nevertheless, one of the UK’s most eminent veteran actors has shared that he found her “bloody rude” when she spoke to him, and dismissive of his chosen profession.

Sir Ian McKellen, who had to curtail a theatrical tour after he fell from the stage in London’s West End in June, has given an interview to The Times of London, sharing details of one occasion when the Queen presented him with a medal.

McKellen told The Times that the monarch told him, “You’ve been doing this for an awfully long time,” to which he replied, “Well, not as long as you.”

Then, she asked: Does anyone still actually go to the theatre?”

McKellen said this weekend: “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 85-year-old theatrical knight said he had sympathy for the British Royal Family, however, asking: “I’ve been in public life a bit, but these people are in prison. They can’t do anything normal. Can you imagine having to be nice to everyone you talk to?”

The 85-year-old theatrical knight revealed recently that he had been approached to reprise his role of Gandalf in Andy Serkis’s new Lord of the Rings films. Serkis played Gollum in Peter Jackson’s record-breaking anthology. 

In June, he caused alarm when he tripped over the rungs of an upturned chair and fell from the stage while performing Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre. He fractured his wrist and a vertebra, and was subsequently forced to cancel the tour.