Joanna Lumley has shared her deep admiration for King Charles and offered a rare insight into how the monarch is handing his health battle after being diagnosed with cancer last year
Absolutely Fabulous legend Dame Joanna Lumley, a devoted royalist, has showered King Charles with glowing praise – describing the monarch as being “exceptionally brave”.
The 79-year-old actress, who received her damehood three years ago, offered the glowing tribute while discussing Charles’ ongoing health struggles, following his cancer diagnosis in February 2024. Speaking to Saga Magazine, she said: “He’s exceptionally brave, because he really is ill, but practically nobody can keep up with him. He packs so much into every day, he walks faster than anybody I’ve ever met – he’s incredible.”
Yet Joanna’s deep respect for Charles stretches back decades, as she insisted he had already established an extraordinary legacy well before ascending to the throne.
She declared: “He was the most brilliant Prince of Wales we will ever see, without being cruel to Prince William, because he had the role for so long. The Prince’s Trust was set up when he was in his twenties – what a far-thinking thing to do!”
Having encountered both Charles and Queen Camilla personally, Joanna described the latter as a “golden, fabulous person”.
The veteran performer claimed the press had backed Diana throughout the Royal couple’s marital troubles, noting that “so much mud was flung” at the woman then known as Camilla Parker Bowles. She added: “But now she goes about her job without any rancour.”
Joanna received an OBE in the 1995 New Year Honours List before securing her Dame title 27 years later.
She revealed discovering the news through a letter left her in floods of tears during an unforgettable moment that proved completely overwhelming.
The 2022 honours were the final New Year’s awards distributed by Queen Elizabeth II before her death nine months later, following her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Offering a glimpse into the late monarch, she remarked: “She left so gracefully, remaining upright and swearing in Liz Truss as Prime Minister until the very last minute. We never saw her use a wheelchair, even though she was very frail. She was compos mentis, then she went to her bed and died.”
In 2021, Joanna released a book titled A Queen for All Seasons: A Celebration of Queen Elizabeth II. She explained to Jonathan Ross that it featured stories from individuals who had encountered her throughout her reign – ranging from figures like Winston Churchill to children who presented her with flowers on the street.
One tale came from rock legend Rob Halford from Judas Priest, with Joanna revealing: “He went to Buckingham Palace and heard the queen say ‘heavy metal.’ He said ‘I never believed I’d hear The Queen say the words heavy metal.'”
Meanwhile, Joanna has also attracted attention recently after voicing support for assisted dying – stating she wouldn’t wish to continue living if left unable to speak or recognise her loved ones.