Current:Home > StocksKing Charles pays light-hearted tribute to comedian Barry Humphries at Sydney memorial service-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
King Charles pays light-hearted tribute to comedian Barry Humphries at Sydney memorial service
View Date:2024-12-23 18:17:20
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — 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.”
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.
veryGood! (5583)
Related
- Atlanta man dies in shootout after police chase that also kills police dog
- Connecticut aquarium pays over $12K to settle beluga care investigation
- Step Inside Jennifer Aniston's Multi-Million Dollar Home in Inside Look at Emmys Prep
- Maternal deaths surged in Texas in 2020, 2021
- Duke basketball vs Kentucky live updates: Highlights, scores, updates from Champions Classic
- Who plays on Thursday Night Football? Breaking down Week 3 matchup
- See Snoop Dogg Make His Epic The Voice Debut By Smoking His Fellow Coaches (Literally)
- Families of Americans detained in China share their pain and urge US to get them home
- Trump hammered Democrats on transgender issues. Now the party is at odds on a response
- A body is found near the site of the deadly interstate shooting in Kentucky
Ranking
- Blake Shelton Announces New Singing Competition Show After Leaving The Voice
- Get a Designer Michael Kors $498 Handbag for $99 & More Luxury Deals Under $100
- Happy 50th ‘SNL!’ Here’s a look back at the show’s very first cast
- Indiana woman pleads guilty to hate crime after stabbing Asian American college student
- South Carolina does not set a date for the next execution after requests for a holiday pause
- Connecticut landscaper dies after tree tumbled in an 'unintended direction' on top of him
- Kaitlyn Bristowe Reveals Why She and Ex Jason Tartick Are No Longer Sharing Custody of Their 2 Dogs
- Martha Stewart Claims Ina Garten Was Unfriendly Amid Prison Sentence
Recommendation
-
Conviction and 7-year sentence for Alex Murdaugh’s banker overturned in appeal of juror’s dismissal
-
New Orleans Regional Transit Authority board stalled from doing business for second time this year
-
8-year-old who drove to an Ohio Target in mom's SUV caught on dashcam video: Watch
-
MLB playoff picture: Wild card standings, latest 2024 division standings
-
Suspect in deadly 2023 Atlanta shooting is deemed not competent to stand trial
-
Ulta & Sephora 1-Day Deals: 50% Off Lancome Monsieur Big Volumizing Mascara, MAC Liquid Lipstick & More
-
Pharrell Williams slammed as 'out of touch' after saying he doesn't 'do politics'
-
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword, It Started With the Wine