Sir Ian McKellen has been branded "rude and arrogant" after making an "astounding" claim about the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The 85-year-old acting legend hit out at the former British monarch and reflected on his encounters with her, noting how he was "shoved" away when receiving an honour at Buckingham Palace.
Speaking to The Times, McKellen said: "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?’."
Stephen Dixon has hit out at Sir Ian McKellen's remarks about the late Queen Elizabeth II
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McKellen added: "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!’".
Reacting to the remarks, royal commentator Richard Palmer criticised the actor and claimed that he can't remember "in 20 years of royal reporting, coming across somebody who was willing to criticise the Queen such an open way".
Palmer told GB News: "He describes her as being rude and his main reason seems to be that she said to him 'do people still go to the theatre', and he's taken offence of that.
"I suspect it's just a way of getting conversation going and talking about how theatre is adapting, still attracting crowds in the West End."
McKellen was given the Companion of Honour medal for services to Drama and Equality by Queen Elizabeth II in 2008
PA
However, in defence of McKellen, Palmer highlighted that the comments seem "unreasonable", but this is "one national treasure talking about another national treasure" and he would "defend his right to say it".
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Weighing in on the discussion, host Stephen Dixon recalled working with McKellen and claimed the star was "rude and arrogant" towards him.
Stephen fumed: "McKellen is someone I've worked with at hosting events, and I have never in my life met anyone as rude and as arrogant as him.
"It was one of those 'don't meet your heroes' things, because I came away from that night absolutely gutted that he was so rude."
When asked by cohost Dawn Neesom how McKellen was rude, Stephen explained: "He was just generally unpleasant, I was really shocked. So the fact he's got the nerve to criticise anyone else, I find it astounding."
Stephen Dixon said McKellen was 'arrogant and rude' when he met the actor
GB News
During the same interview, McKellen also affirmed his support for Prince Harry, amid his continued estrangement from his brother and the wider Royal Family.
McKellen claimed: "I’m most definitely on Harry’s side. 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?
"Hats off to anyone who manages to stay sane in that world. 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."