Helen Mirren Shuts Down Queen Elizabeth Joke, Praises Meghan Markle Amid Criticisms

Dame Helen Mirren recently sat down for an interview on “Good Morning Britain” where she talked about Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle.

Before Mirren could launch ITV’s breakfast show’s Prince’s Trust Mentor of the Year award, television presenters Ben Shephard and Susanna Reid asked her about her role as Queen Elizabeth II. Shepard asked the actress if Prince Harry still calls her “granny” after one famous incident, and she giggled.

During one awards ceremony, Prince Harry said that his “granny” was there in reference to Mirren. The actress joked about being insulted by how the Duke of Sussex referred to him, but she really wasn’t.

Meanwhile, Mirren said that she has not met the Duchess of Sussex, but she has become one of Markle’s admirers based on what she’s heard about her.

“I think right from the moment that relationship was revealed, she conducted herself with incredible self-restraint, elegance, discipline, simplicity, and humanity. I was an admirer… it’s an incredibly difficult life to lead – talk about pressure!” she said.

Markle recently sparked criticisms over rumors that she is difficult to work with. She is also rumored to have been feuding with Kate Middleton. But the real score about their relationship will be discussed in “Kate v Meghan: Princess at War” on TLC on Feb. 5.

Mirren was also asked if she has had the chance to talk to Prince Charles about her portrayal of his mom, Her Majesty, and she said no. According to the actress, the future King is too tactful. However, Prince William and Prince Harry told Mirren that they have been cool about her portrayal of their grandmother.

According to People, much of what the Prince’s Trust does involve mentoring young people as they get into training and employment. Mirren called herself lucky to have had the advantage of good parenting. But she said that not a lot of kids have experienced the same thing.

“But even with good parenting, when you are out in the world and you’re intimidated by the challenges of the professional world,” she said.

Mirren portrayed the role of the monarch in the 2006 movie “The Queen.”