‘The Queen’ Star Helen Mirren Gushes Meghan Markle Conducts Herself With ‘Simplicity and Humanity’

After having played Queen Elizabeth twice, Dame Helen Mirren has a unique relationship with the royal family. “[Prince] Harry and [Prince] William have mentioned it to me and have been very funny and very cool about it,” she once said of the princes’ reaction to her portrayals of their famous grandmother. “Harry was at an awards ceremony [I attended] and he said, ‘Granny is here!’”

The newest addition to the royal family, Harry’s bride, Meghan Markle, also impresses Helen, 73. “She conducted herself with incredible self-restraint, elegance, discipline and simplicity and humanity,” she said. “Talk about pressure! I think she is doing it with great elegance.”

When Entertainment Tonight previously asked Helen if she would give Meghan any advice on her new royal life, she admitted that the Duchess of Sussex, 37, has been adapting to everything very well. “I have to say, she’s been so charming and so dignified in the right sort of way, in a natural kind of way. I think she’s a really wonderful addition to the royal family, and she’s very beloved already in England,” Helen gushed about the former Suits actress. “I don’t think she needs any advice.”

However, the Red star did give some helpful advice to young actors who are trying to make it in Hollywood. “Be loyal and on time,” she previously told Closer Weekly. “And don’t be an a–hole!”

Helen has a similarly positive outlook on growing older in the spotlight. “I don’t often wish that I’m younger because I think that it’s pretty cool to be older,” she said in a previous interview. “What I love the most about being older is that lovely I don’t give a f–kness kind of thing. All you young things don’t be afraid of getting older because it’s f–king great.”

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