Current:Home > StocksKing Charles pays light-hearted tribute to comedian Barry Humphries at Sydney memorial service-LoTradeCoin
King Charles pays light-hearted tribute to comedian Barry Humphries at Sydney memorial service
View Date:2024-12-23 21:50:04
CANBERRA, Australia — King Charles III paid a light-hearted tribute to the late Barry Humphries at a state memorial service Friday in Australia, recalling his own apprehension when the comedian's alter ego, Dame Edna Everage, played a prank on him a decade ago.
Video of the prank during a Royal Variety Performance in London in 2013 was widely replayed after Humphries died in Sydney in April aged 89.
Humphries, in the character of the snobbish Everage, approached the then Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, as they sat in the theater's royal box.
Everage looked at her ticket then explained to the laughing royals before leaving: "I'm so sorry, they found me a better seat."
More:Barry Humphries, Tony-winning creator of Dame Edna Everage persona, dies at 89
More:King Charles III celebrates 75th birthday with food project, Prince William tribute
Charles alluded to the joke in a message read by Australian Arts Minister Tony Burke at the memorial service in the Sydney Opera House.
"I suspect that all those who appeared on stage or on TV with Barry's Dame Edna, or who found her appearing at the back of the royal box, will have shared that unique sensation where fear and fun combined," Charles wrote, prompting laughter from the audience.
"Those who tried to stand on their dignity soon lost their footing. Those who wondered whether Australia's housewife superstar might this time just go too far were always proved right. No one was safe," Charles added.Humphries' comic characters "poked and prodded us, exposed pretensions, punctured pomposity, surfaced insecurities but, most of all, made us laugh at ourselves," Charles wrote.
Among celebrities who sent video tributes to the Australian-born entertainer, who spent decades in London, included composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and comedians Jimmy Carr, David Walliams and Rob Brydon. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also paid tribute.
A year on the throne:King Charles III's royal report card
veryGood! (42)
Related
- Anti-abortion advocates press Trump for more restrictions as abortion pill sales spike
- Dog lost for 22 days at Atlanta airport was found thanks to Good Samaritan: Just so happy that I got her
- One of Princess Diana's Legendary Sweaters Just Made History With $1.1 Million Sale at Auction
- Michigan police say killer of teen in 1983 is now suspect in girl's 1982 murder; more victims possible
- Suicides in the US military increased in 2023, continuing a long-term trend
- Yankees reliever Anthony Misiewicz hit in head by line drive in scary scene vs. Pirates
- Person dies of rare brain-eating amoeba traced to splash pad at Arkansas country club
- Kansas to no longer change transgender people’s birth certificates to reflect gender identities
- Deion Sanders addresses trash thrown at team during Colorado's big win at Texas Tech
- UNESCO puts 2 locations in war-ravaged Ukraine on its list of historic sites in danger
Ranking
- 1 dead, 2 children injured in wrong-way crash; driver suspected of DWI: Reports
- Police group photo with captured inmate Danelo Cavalcante generates criticism online
- Record-high summer temps give a 'sneak peek' into future warming
- Looking for the new COVID vaccine booster? Here's where to get the shot.
- Will Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul end in KO? Boxers handle question differently
- Ole Miss player DeSanto Rollins files lawsuit against football coach Lane Kiffin, university
- Seattle cop under international scrutiny defends jokes after woman's death
- Letter showing Pope Pius XII had detailed information from German Jesuit about Nazi crimes revealed
Recommendation
-
Will Trump curb transgender rights? After election, community prepares for worst
-
Yankees reliever Anthony Misiewicz hit in head by line drive in scary scene vs. Pirates
-
2023 Maui Invitational will be moved to Honolulu, keeping tournament in Hawaii
-
British neonatal nurse found guilty of murdering 7 babies launches bid to appeal her convictions
-
Kraft Heinz stops serving school-designed Lunchables because of low demand
-
Biden set for busy week of foreign policy, including talks with Brazil, Israel and Ukraine leaders
-
Security forces are seen across Iran as country prepares for anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death
-
Luxury cruise ship that ran aground in Greenland with over 200 people on board is freed