King Charles III mourns Maggie Smith after legendary British actress dies at 89

King Charles III is mourning the loss of legendary British actress Maggie Smith, who died early Friday at 89.

In a statement from the monarch and his wife Queen Camilla posted to X, the pair paid their respects to the countrywoman who became a two-time Academy Award-winning actress and garnered several other acting accolades

My wife and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dame Maggie Smith. 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 on and off the stage,” Charles wrote.

Dame Maggie Smith, ‘Downton Abbey’ starand Professor McGonagall in ‘Harry Potter,’ dies at 89

The monarch signed the message about Smith as “Charles R.”

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The death of the trailblazing British actress, best known for her starring roles in “Harry Potter” and “Downton Abbey,” was first announced in a statement made by her two sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens. The brothers said Smith died Friday morning at a London hospital