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King Charles Mourns The Loss Of ‘National Treasure’ Dame Maggie Smith; Says He Is ‘Deeply Saddened’

Sep 28, 2024 · 9:23 AM Blog

King Charles expressed his sorrow at the death of British actress Dame Maggie Smith who passed away at the age of 89. The King compassionately said, together with Queen Camilla, how sorry they were and how the death of the actress has “deeply saddened” them.

He addressed everyone who knew the actress, speaking about the end of her life as the closure of a chapter for the “national treasure” that Smith was.

“As the curtain comes down on a national treasure, we join all those around the world in remembering with the fondest admiration and affection her many great performances, and her warmth and wit that shone through both off and on the stage,” the King wrote.

The King has not forgotten meeting the dame during the Pride of Britain Awards in 2016, he was still Prince Charles at this time. He accompanied his homage to Smith with a picture of the two of them from the aforementioned awards ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel. Once word broke on the dame’s passing other tributes started pouring in attesting to her lasting impact across eras.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid his respects to Dame Maggie Smith whom he called a “true national treasure”.

Tributes from Hollywood stars and the UK flooded social media within hours of the announcement of Smith’s death. Many of her fans around the world joined in celebrating her achievements in the performing arts as well as her talents that charmed people on and off stage, humor included.

With her two sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, who confirmed her passing, by her side, Smith died comfortably surrounded by family and friends.

Smith’s accolades came from her prowess in performing arts, with successes in films, series, and plays earning her reputation from casting in the movies Harry Potter, the series Downton Abbey, Othello, Sister Act as well as The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and more.

In the Harry Potter film series, Maggie Smith’s Professor McGonagall presented a formidably caring personality that won the already famous actress new generations of admirers, just like she hoped for. During her brilliant career, she was awarded two Oscars – for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1970, and California Suite in 1979. In addition to that, she has five BAFTAs, four Emmy awards, and several other prestigious awards. For her remarkable work in the entertainment industry, she was honored with the rank of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in the year 1990.

ALSO READ: Harry Potter Fame Dame Maggie Smith Passes Away; Oscar Winning Actress Was 89

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‘You Held Your Own’: Emma Watson Pays Heartfelt Tribute To Harry Potter Costar Maggie Smith Amid Her Passing

Sep 28, 2024 · 9:23 AM Blog

Emma Watson is mourning the loss of her Harry Potter co-star. The actress and activist took to her Instagram on Friday, September 27, to express grief and pay tribute to Dame Maggie Smith, who passed away earlier in the day at age 89.

“When I was younger, I had no idea of Maggie’s legend — the woman I was fortunate enough to share space with. It is only as I’ve become an adult that I’ve come to appreciate that I shared the screen with a true definition of greatness,” Watson, who starred alongside Maggie in all eight Harry Potter films, wrote. She continued, “She was real, honest, funny, and self-honoring. Maggie, there were a lot of male professors, and by God, you held your own. Thank you for all your kindness. I’ll miss you.”

Smith passed away peacefully at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital according to a statement given by her two sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens to BBC. The actress was with her friends and family when she breathed her last, the statement noted, adding that she is survived by her sons and five grandchildren, who were devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.

Born in 1934, Smith spent her formative years in Oxford and began acting at the city’s Playhouse theatre as a teenager. While appearing in a string of well-celebrated stage shows, including Bamber Gascoigne’s 1957 musical comedy Share My Lettuce opposite Kenneth Williams, Maggie also swiftly made inroads into films.

Her first impactful performance on the big screen came in Nowhere to Go (1958), for which she received a Best Supporting Actress BAFTA nomination. Though she did not get an opportunity to take the mask-shaped statue home then, later in her career, she was awarded eight of those, including one for a BAFTA Fellowship, the highest honor the Academy can bestow.

Maggie Smith was also a two-time Oscar recipient by virtue of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and California Suite. For her role in the former film, she received the Best Actress in a Leading Role Oscar; for the latter, she was awarded the Best Actress in a Supporting Role prize.

ALSO READ: Harry Potter Star Daniel Radcliffe Pays His Tribute To Late Co-Star Maggie Smith Amidst Actress’ Death At 89

In addition to the stage and big screen, Maggie also made her impact on the small screen when she starred as the Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey.

King Charles and Queen Camilla paid tribute to Smith, saying: “As the curtain comes down on a national treasure, we join all those around the world in remembering, with the fondest admiration and affection, her many great performances, and her warmth and wit that shone through both off and on the stage.”

Regarding her personal life, Smith was married twice: to fellow actor Robert Stephens between 1967 and 1975, and to Beverley Cross from 1975 until his death in 1988.

ALSO READ: Throwback: When Maggie Smith Had A Scary Reputation on Harry Potter Sets; Know Backstory Amid Actresses’ Demise

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Mumbai On Alert After Agencies Flag Terror Threat, Security Tightened

Sep 28, 2024 · 9:23 AM Blog

The police in Mumbai have stepped up security in crowded areas after central agencies alerted about a possible terror threat.

According to police sources, security arrangements have been ramped up at many religious places and other crowded places in Mumbai.

Police personnel have also been told to conduct “mock drills” at religious and crowded places, sources said.

The DCPs (Deputy Commissioner Of Police) of the city have also been asked to pay special attention to security arrangements in their respective zones.

Sources also said that temples in the city have been instructed to remain alert and report any suspicious activity as a precautionary measure.

Police on Friday also conducted a mock drill in the crowded Crawford Market area, which houses two famous religious sites.

Officials, however, said it was a security drill ahead of the festive season.

Mumbai, which celebrated the 10-day “Ganesh Chaturthi” festival this month, is now preparing for Durga Puja, Dussehra and Diwali.

Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra state assembly are also likely to be held in November.

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