An historical performance by Barry Humphries as the character Dame Edna Everage is shown on a screen during the State Memorial Service for Australian comedian and actor Barry Humphries at the Sydney O
Embracing humor during somber moments, King Charles III spun a truly delightful tribute for the late Barry Humphries at his state memorial service in Australia. Transporting us back to a decade past, he playfully spoke of the time when Humphries's comic persona, the daunting yet hilarious Dame Edna Everage, charmingly rattled him with a prank at a Royal Variety Performance.
Now fancy this: it was indeed 2013 in London, and the footage of the delightful prank danced around the internet shortly after Humphries bowed out gracefully from the stage of life in April this year at the age of 89.
Need a memory jog about the jest? Well, picture Humphries, in all of Dame Edna's pompous glory, floating towards Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, nestled comfortably in the theatre's royal box. She peeked at her ticket, and then, with the effortless humor that made the character a household name, she declared to the chuckling royals, “I’m so sorry, they found me a better seat.” And off she fluttered!
A video tribute from British entertainer Elton John is shown on a screen during the State Memorial Service for Australian comedian and actor Barry Humphries at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Friday, December 15, 2023. King Charles III has paid tribute to the late Barry Humphries at a state memorial service with a message that recalled the monarch's own apprehension when the comedian's alter ego Dame Edna Everage played a prank on him in a royal box a decade ago (David Gray/Pool Photo via AP)An historical performance by Barry Humphries as the character Dame Edna Everage is shown on a screen during the State Memorial Service for Australian comedian and actor Barry Humphries at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. King Charles III has paid tribute to the late Barry Humphries at a state memorial service with a message that recalled the monarch's own apprehension when the comedian's alter ego Dame Edna Everage played a prank on him in a royal box a decade ago (David Gray/Pool Photo via AP)Australian movie director Bruce Beresford speaks during the State Memorial Service for Australian comedian and actor Barry Humphries at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. King Charles III has paid tribute to the late Barry Humphries at a state memorial service with a message that recalled the monarch's own apprehension when the comedian's alter ego Dame Edna Everage played a prank on him in a royal box a decade ago. (David Gray/Pool Photo via AP)Tessa Humphries, daughter of Australian comedian and actor Barry Humphries, speaks during the State Memorial Service in his honor at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Friday, December 15, 2023. King Charles III has paid tribute to the late Barry Humphries at a state memorial service with a message that recalled the monarch's own apprehension when the comedian's alter ego Dame Edna Everage played a prank on him in a royal box a decade ago (David Gray/Pool Photo via AP)Barry Humphries' sons, Rupert Humphries, left, and Oscar Humphries, and his wife Elizabeth Spender arrive for the State Memorial Service for the Australian comedian and actor at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. King Charles III has paid tribute to the late Barry Humphries at a state memorial service with a message that recalled the monarch's own apprehension when the comedian's alter ego Dame Edna Everage played a prank on him in a royal box a decade ago. (David Gray/Pool Photo via AP)A guest arrives dressed as Dame Edna Everage for the State Memorial Service for Australian comedian and actor Barry Humphries at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. King Charles III has paid tribute to the late Barry Humphries at a state memorial service with a message that recalled the monarch's own apprehension when the comedian's alter ego Dame Edna Everage played a prank on him in a royal box a decade ago (David Gray/Pool Photo via AP)Entertainer Meow Meow performs during the State Memorial Service for Australian comedian and actor Barry Humphries at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. King Charles III has paid tribute to the late Barry Humphries at a state memorial service with a message that recalled the monarch's own apprehension when the comedian's alter ego Dame Edna Everage played a prank on him in a royal box a decade ago. (David Gray/Pool Photo via AP)
Nodding towards the endearing fiasco, Charles had a message for the memorial audience at the Sydney Opera House. “I suspect that all those who appeared on stage or on TV with Barry’s Dame Edna or who found her appearing at the back of the royal box, will have shared that unique sensation where fear and fun combine,' he wrote, coaxing the audience into hearty laughter.
Continue picturing it: dignified figures tripping over their poise, folks expecting Dame Edna to rein it in this time being proved oh-so-wrong. In Charles' own words, “No one was safe.” He painted a picture of Humphries' characters as daring jesters- prodding us, unearthing insecurities, dispensing gales of laughter, and, hilariously, 'exposing pretensions' and 'puncturing pomposity'.
Peppered amongst the tributes were a glittering array of videos from prominent celebrities. Andrew Lloyd Webber composed a moving message. Sir Elton John sang praises. Comedian trio, Jimmy Carr, David Walliams, and Rob Brydon, jointly presented their humorous homage. News tycoon Rupert Murdoch and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also offered their words of praise for the Australian-born entertainer, who found a second home in London and a permanent place in our hearts. With a twinkle of humor, King Charles III truly presented an entertaining tribute to the departed comedian, proving in Humphries' words that, 'laughter is the best medicine'.
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