King Charles called Barry Humphries hours before comedian died
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The King has sent a personal message to be read out at Barry Humphries’ state memorial in Australia on Friday.
The King, 75, was a close friend of the late comedian and spoke to him hours before he died at the age of 89, following complications from hip surgery on April 22.
His Majesty later led the tributes, with a Buckingham Palace spokesman saying he had been left “saddened” and was “writing privately to Mr Humphries’ family as we speak”.
The comedian, best known as Dame Edna Everage, will be honoured during the state memorial service at the Sydney Opera House, where family, friends and fans will gather to celebrate his career and achievements.
The Australian Chamber Orchestra, a favourite of Humphries, will perform.
The comedian’s widow, Lizzie Spender, and three of his children are expected to attend, according to The Australian.
The service will be broadcast live on Australian television.
Humphries performed as Dame Edna at the 2013 Royal Variety Performance, where the King and Queen were in attendance.
During the show, he entered the Royal Box, blew a kiss to Prince Charles and sat down next to the couple, reaching across to give the Duchess of Cornwall a reassuring touch on the arm.
An usher then appeared and handed Dame Edna a note, after which she said: “I’m so sorry, they’ve found me a better seat.”
As she rushed out of the box, the royal couple wiped away tears of laughter.
Lord Archer, who was also a close friend of Humphries, said in April: “He didn’t tell Camilla and Charles what he was about to do, otherwise they wouldn’t have burst out laughing.”
Reflecting on the King’s longstanding bond with the comedian, the former MP said he was “not surprised” the monarch had called Humphries shortly before he died.
‘Friendship went on for many years’
He said the King would take his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, to his comedy shows, saying that he had seen them once backstage when the boys were around 12 and 14.
“I think that friendship went on for many years,” he added.
Humphries was a mainstay of royal performances, meeting Elizabeth II and Diana, Princess of Wales at various events.
He appeared at a Prince’s Trust 30th birthday concert in 2006 and was made a CBE by the late Queen in 2007.
The comedian was pictured chatting to Queen Camilla at The Oldie of the Year Awards in 2021.
As well as calling him in April, the King also sent Humphries an email shortly before his death, film director Bruce Beresford revealed after paying his friend a visit in hospital.
Mr Beresdord told The Australian: “Barry said, ‘Well, I always admired him. We always got on well and I really liked his company and enjoyed being with him.’
“Barry was one of those people, he had a great capacity for friendship. He was so interested in people.”
