King Charles was not the only member of the Royal Family that was friends with Barry Humphries

King Charles was friends with Barry Humphries, who sadly died at the age of 89, on Saturday, April 22. Barry Humphries was known for his alter egos, Dame Edna Everage and Sir Patterson. The Australian comedian is said to have had a special bond with the new King.

Humphries’ friend, Rowan Dean, told Sky News Australia that King Charles had called Humphries whilst he was in the hospital. He told Sky News Australia:

Yesterday King Charles III spoke to Barry Humphries on the phone shortly before Barry passed away

Barry Humphries also had a friendship with the late Queen Elizabeth and even gave fashion advice to Princess Diana. But how does an Australian comedian come to be friends with the British Royal Family?

The Queen loved Dame Edna

As reported by Daily Mail, the late Queen Elizabeth was a big fan of Dame Edna. In fact, the Queen enjoyed Humphries alter egos, in 2007, Humphries was given the Commander of the British Empire.

Recalling the event, Humphries had said:

She said that she'd been greatly entertained by a lot of my shows,

I've just celebrated my 50 years on the stage, so it's a great honour that my sovereign should bestow this on me, and I'm very, very pleased.

I like medals, and all that sort of thing

It turned out that the two were rather close, to the point that Humphries would call Queen Elizabeth ‘Possum’. At Her Majesty’s 50th Jubilee in 2002, Humphries was a co-host and said:

Here's the Jubilee Girl, possums

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Dame Edna pranked King Charles and Camilla

Barry Humphries was also close with King Charles and shared a ‘special bond.’ According to Daily Mail, in 2008, when Barry was asked who he admired the most, his answer was Prince Charles:

He does a great deal of good work without anyone knowing about it

Dame Edna once pulled a prank on then-Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla. During a Royal Variety Performance.

Dame Edna had crashed the royal box and then, a short while later, a security guard tapped on the Dame’s shoulder and handed her a letter.

After briefly reading the letter, she exclaims:

Oh sorry, they have found me a better seat

Sources used:

Sky News Australia: ‘He took us to the world’: Rowan Dean on late friend Barry Humphries and the comedian’s final call with King Charles’

The Independent: ‘King Charles called Barry Humphries in hospital hours before his death’

Daily Mail: ‘Barry Humphries and his royal connection: How the Dame Edna star and comedy legend was a favourite of the Queen, once gave fashion tips to princess Diana and shared a special bond with King Charles’