A video of Dame Edna Everage has gone viral after the comedian’s death on April 22, 2023.
The clip shows Dame Edna crashing the royal box at the 2013 Royal Variety Performance, leaving Charles and Camilla in stitches.
The video, originally shared on Dame Edna’s own Instagram in 2019, begins with the comedian taking a seat next to the now-King and Queen Consort, giving the royals a delightful surprise.
Dame Edna is then tapped on the shoulder by security, before being handed a message. After a moment of bewilderment the Dame rises and quips: “They’ve found me a better seat”. Cue: uproarious laughter.
The short clip is being widely circulated following the passing of the beloved Australian comedian. Barry Humphries passed away at Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital after complications arising from hip surgery. He was 89 years old.
The Australian reports Humphries and the King were good friends, with Charles—whose coronation is less than two weeks away—even phoning the comedian in hospital before he died.
In Humphries’ original posting of the above viral video, he stated he “adored” the royal couple.
The Australian comedy legend had been a mainstay of the industry for 70 years, and was known best by his alter egos, Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson.
In a statement released upon his passing, his family remembered Humphries for his enduring dedication to his craft.
“He was an entertainer to his core, touring up until the last year of his life and planning more shows that will sadly never be,” the statement read.
“He was also a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and a friend and confidant to many. His passing leaves a void in so many lives. The characters he created, which brought laughter to millions, will live on.”
Humphries is survived by his wife of 30 years, Lizzie Spender, his children, Tessa, Emily, Oscar and Rupert, and 10 grandchildren.
Upon the news of Humphries’ passing, tributes have poured in from his many friends in the entertainment business.
Richard Wilkins said of Humphries: “He was beautiful and gentle almost the opposite of Edna, who could be brutal. Oh, my goodness. But it didn’t come from a malicious point.
“He made ordinary people feel special and special people feel pretty ordinarily,” he added affectionately.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, recalled Humphries as “a great wit”.
“For 89 years, Barry Humphries entertained us through a galaxy of personas, from Dame Edna to Sandy Stone. But the brightest star in that galaxy was always Barry. A great wit, satirist, writer and an absolute one-of-a-kind, he was both gifted and a gift. May he rest in peace,” the PM tweeted.
There are reportedly talks of honouring the comedian with a state funeral, and the royals have reportedly not ruled out attending in-person.
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