Julie Andrews shares heartfelt tribute to the Queen

Sound of Music: Julie Andrews stars in trailer for 1965 film

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Julie Andrews, 86, who herself played a royal as Queen of Genovia in The Princess Diaries, told the world it felt as if she had lost a friend. The Sound of Music actress is the latest in a string of celebrities to pay respects to the dearly departed monarch, from Victoria Beckham and Liz Hurley to Mick Jagger and Elton John.

“A page in history has turned today,” the Emmy, Grammy and Golden Globe award winner began in a statement.

“Along with millions of others, I mourn the passing of our beloved Queen Elizabeth II,” Dame Julie Andrews continued.

“It feels as though we lost a friend: a dedicated Monarch who inspired all of us with her love, wisdom and grace.”

She added ambitiously: “‘May we honour her by holding to the standards she set for herself and her nation.”

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Julie also has almost 350,000 followers on her official Instagram account, but she chose not to release a copy of her statement there.

The star had already paid tribute to the monarch once this year for the Platinum Jubilee, reminding the public that she had kept her promise to loyally serve the country she loved.

“Your majesty, I well remember the beautiful radio speech you gave on your 21st birthday,” she had emotionally exclaimed.

“You pledged yourself in service to the people of Britain and the Commonwealth, and I feel that in all the years since, you have never betrayed that promise.”

Julie had her first opportunity to meet the Queen in person 25 years earlier, when she was present at the Silver Jubilee celebrations back in 1977.

The Royal Variety Performance was held at the London Palladium that year, and Julie shook hands with the Queen backstage with enormous enthusiasm.

It wasn’t until 2000 that Queen Elizabeth II awarded her the title of Dame.

The Mary Poppins star received the accolade alongside the late Dame Elizabeth Taylor as they wowed in pastel pink and lilac suits.

Then, four years later, she and Anne Hathaway played starring roles in the Disney movie The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.

Fans had been anxiously awaiting news of whether she would return for a third movie in the series, but she ruled out that possibility on The Tonight Show earlier this year.

“Because I’m that much older and Anne is that much older… I think it’s gone too far now,” she explained.

Not only is it the end of an era for a fictional royal, but the real Queen is on everyone’s minds today following her death yesterday at Balmoral.

The newly appointed King Charles III paid tribute to his late mother today, who had reached the grand age of 96 when she died.

During his televised address, he told the world: “Her dedication and devotion as Sovereign never waivered, through times of change and progress, through times of joy and celebration, and through times of sadness and loss.”

He also added that he had given William the title Prince of Wales, and expressed “love” for Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle as they “continue to build their lives overseas”.

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