In a scathing critique of the royal family, Ian McKellen criticizes Queen Elizabeth and Prince Harry.

Sir Ian McKellen is not hesitant to speak about the royal family.

In 2008, during a meeting with the late Queen Elizabeth II, the 85-year-old British actor claimed that the queen was "quite rude."

The monarch and McKellen had an allegedly heated exchange when McKellen received a medal for acting.

He told The Times of London that he had only met her a few times, and on those occasions, she was quite rude.

"Upon receiving a medal for my acting, she remarked, 'You've been performing for quite some time.' I responded, 'Not as long as you.' She gave me a royal smile, but then she questioned, 'Is anyone still attending the theater?'"

He continued, "That's impolite to give someone a medal for acting. It implied, 'No one cares about you because I don't.' Now go away!"

During his interview, McKellen revealed an awkward handshake he had with the late Queen, stating that she pushed his hand away with "some force" when they first met.

He explained that the handshake meant "Go! Go!"

By the end of her life, Queen Elizabeth was considered "quite mad" by the "X-Men" actor.

He went on to share his opinions about the monarchy.

"Can you envision being born into the royal family? Although I have some experience with public life, these individuals are incarcerated. They are unable to engage in typical activities. How would you cope with the necessity of being courteous to everyone you encounter?"

"Imagine being born into the royal family. I’ve been in public life a bit, but these people are in prison." — Ian McKellen

The actor appears to be genuinely concerned about the royal family's mental health, according to the media outlet.

"Hats off to anyone who can maintain their sanity in that world," he remarked. "Just like the late Duke of Edinburgh, who, despite being deeply eccentric and unhappy, managed to stay sane. The present king also manages to survive, but it's clear that he's deeply damaged."

Despite McKellen's claim to be on Prince Harry's "side" following his rift with the royal family, the actor contended that the Duke of Sussex is not particularly intelligent.

"Harry may not be intelligent enough or have the right companions to aid him effectively. However, he was fortunate enough to have access to all the beautiful women in the world. I hope he has found the right partner."

Neither McKellen nor Harry responded to Planet Chronicle Digital's request for comment, and a representative for Charles declined to comment.

After being hospitalized and suffering a fall during a performance in London in June, he made scathing comments.

At the Noel Coward Theatre, McKellen, who was starring in "Player Kings," fell off the stage during a fight scene, causing the rest of the show to be canceled and the theater to be evacuated.

The actor, known for his roles in "X Men," "Beauty and the Beast," and "Mr. Holmes," portrayed Gandalf in the "Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" film series.