"That's bloody rude when you're giving someone a medal"— Sir Ian McKellen calls out Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Family

Sir Ian McKellen seems like he is not happy with the Royal Family. In his candid interview with The Times of London on Friday, September 5, 2024, the Lord of the Rings star called out the late Queen Elizabeth II for being "quite rude" to him when giving him a medal.

The late monarch knighted the actor in 1991 and 17 years later awarded him the Companion of Honour medal for his services to acting. Recounting the time he met the Queen in 2008, Sir Ian commented:

"On the few occasions I met her she was quite rude. When I received a medal for acting, 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?'," he began.

The six-time Olivier Award winner continued:

"That's bloody rude when you’re giving someone a medal for acting. It meant, 'Does anyone care a f*ck about you because I don't. Now off you go!'

Following the somewhat heated exchange, Ian McKellen and the late Queen awkwardly shook hands, which the actor believed indicated he was dismissed.

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"I’ve been in public life a bit, but these people are in prison"- Sir Ian McKellen on the British Royal family

Sir Ian McKellen did not shy away from voicing his displesure about the British monarchy. Talking to the publication about the queen's final years, he remarked that she was "quite mad" by the end of her life. He even acted out his final handshake with the interviewer, initially pretending to shake his hand but shoving him away at the last minute.

Queen Elizabeth II passed away in 2022 at the age of 96.

Per the Times of London, the Magneto actor also expressed genuine concern about the royal family's, mental health. He remarked:

"Imagine being born into the royal family. 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 quipped that anyone managing to stay sane in that world is commendable. He continued to state that the late Duke of Edinburgh did manage to, but added that he was "deeply, deeply eccentric" and "deeply unhappy." He even noted that the present monarch, King Charles III, "sort of survives, but he is clearly damaged."

Ian McKellen also commented that Prince Harry was not the smartest. In 2023, Harry, along with his wife, Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, and children, Archie and Lilibet, left the royal family to settle in Montecito, California. At the time, the actor claimed he was on Harry's side. However, he told the publication:

"As for Harry, he’s probably not bright enough or doesn’t have the right friends to really help himself. Mind you, he had the pick of all the pretty women in the world. I hope he’s got the right one."

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Ian is next set to appear in the period thriller, The Critic. The film is set for a September 13 release.

The royal family has not publicly reacted to Sir Ian McKellen's comments at the time of writing this article.