King Charles mourns Maggie Smith following the Downton Abbey star's death

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

In a statement from the monarch and his wife Queen Camilla, on

“My wife and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dame Maggie Smith. As the curtain falls on a national treasure, we join everyone around the world in remembering with the greatest 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, star of Downton Abbey.and Professor McGonagall in “Harry Potter” dies at the age of 89

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

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