SIR Ian McKellen has said Prince Harry is “not bright enough” or does not “have the right friends” to help himself with royal life.
The legendary actor, 85, has been reading the Duke of Sussex‘s memoir Spare, and says he is “most definitely on Harry’s side”.
He compared being born into the Royal Family to being “in prison”, adding: “They can’t do anything normal. Can you imagine having to be nice to everyone you talk to?”
Sir Ian told The Times his hat went off to anyone who could “stay sane in that world”, offering his opinion that the late Duke of Edinburgh managed to, but the actor suspects he was “deeply unhappy”.
He said the same applies for King Charles, who “sort of survives” but is “clearly damaged”.
Regarding Prince Harry, the Shakespearean actor said: “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.”
Sir Ian also said Queen Elizabeth II was “quite mad at the end”, and the few times he met her she was “quite rude”.
He recalled a conversation he and the late monarch had in 2008, when he received the Companion of Honour – a medal for acting.
Sir Ian said the Queen told him “you’ve been doing this for an awfully long time”, to which he replied: “Well, not as long as you.”
He says this won him a “royal smile”, but the monarch then asked him if anyone still actually goes to the theatre – which Sir Ian thought was “bloody rude”.
Sir Ian fell off stage during a performance of Henry IV in London in June, snapping his wrist and chipping a vertebrae.
He previously said that a fat suit he was wearing on stage during his West End accident saved him from more severe injuries.
Speaking in his recent interview, he said he thought “this is the end” as he started “gliding” off the stage – before crying out “help me” and “I’m sorry”.
He has recently admitted his health is deteriorating and he now struggles to even remember his best friend’s name.
Sir Ian explained: “I forget names… When you’re older you’ve got more to remember than people who are young.
“Nevertheless, it’s a nuisance when you can’t remember your best friend’s name or forget your telephone number.”
He is eager to reprise his role as Gandalf in the 2026 film The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, which would be his first appearance as the wizard in 12 years.
In an interview for the BBC, he said: “Well, I’ve had some indication from the powers that be, Gandalf will make an appearance, and I’m not letting anybody else put on the pointy hat and beard if I can help it.”
