Michael Caine staunchly defends monarchy comment after Ian McKellen’s ‘attack’ on Queen

By Bethany Whittingham, Senior Showbiz Reporter

Michael Caine has shared his love for the Royal Family (Image: Getty Images)

Hollywood legend Michael Caine has shared his love for the British monarchy and claimed it would be the wrong decision to ditch the institution.

It comes after fellow thespian and actor Sir Ian McKellan’s recent criticism of the Royal Family. The Lord of the Rings star recently branded the late Queen Elizabeth II as “rude” and “quite mad”, going on to suggest that Prince Harry was “not bright enough” to cope with royal life.

Now, the fellow award-winning actor has shared his views on the late monarch in his new book Don’t Look Back, You’ll Trip Over: My guide to Life. In his new book, co-written with journalist Matthew D’Ancona, Sir Michael warmly reflects on the late Queen’s legacy.

He wrote: “She had such an extraordinary reign. The outpouring of love and respect when she died was amazing – you could see that she had represented something very special to people.”

The veteran star recalled how the monarchy’s survival appeared to be assured back in the 1960s. The dad-of-two explained: “By then, it was already pretty clear that the Queen was doing an incredible job, that she was absolutely right for the challenges she faced.”

Sir Ian McKellen branded the late Queen as “rude” and “quite mad” (Image: PA)

Caine’s love for the Royal Family extends to the current monarch King Chales III, stating: “I think Charles is turning out to be a great King, too.”

The Batman star strongly refutes any suggestion that the monarchy undermines British democracy in his new tell-all book. He argued: “The monarchy isn’t anti-democratic, it’s one of the ways our democracy has lasted.” He emphasised the institution’s stabilising role in British society.

Writing about his conversations with D’Ancona, he went on: “This stable institution as the heart of everything. We’d be mad to chuck that away. I don’t think we will, either.”

The star had a strong connection with Queen Elizabeth II throughout his career, which was further strengthened by the knighthood she bestowed upon him at Buckingham Palace in 2000.

He opened up about his friendship with the late monarch (Image: PA Archive/Press Association Images)

Two years prior to his achievement, he joined fellow entertainment icons Joan Collins and Shirley Bassey at a Windsor Castle reception with the Queen.

Caine previously recalled how she laughed at a joke he told at the meal, but wasn’t entirely sure she really found it funny.” He told USA Today: “She laughed. I don’t know if it was out of kindness, but she laughed. But that was the first clean joke I could think of.”