Helen Mirren was one of the first celebrities to respond Thursday to the news of Queen Elizabeth II’s death at the age of 96.
The actress – who played the monarch in the 2006 film “The Queen” – took to Instagram to pay her respects.
“I am proud to be an Elizabethan. We mourn a woman who, with or without a crown, was the epitome of nobility,” wrote Mirren, who won an Oscar for the role, of an old photo of Queen Elizabeth.
Earlier in the day, Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen had “died peacefully” at Balmoral Castle after reigning over the Commonwealth for more than 70 years.
Her death came just over a year after her husband, Prince Philip, died at the age of 99.
But this wasn’t the first time Mirren, 77, spoke about her admiration for the Queen.
“Now, you know, Elizabeth Windsor has kept her dignity, her sense of duty and her haircut for over 50 years,” said Mirren after winning Best Actress at the 2007 Academy Awards. “She has put her feet firmly on the ground, her hat on her head, her purse on her arm and she has weathered many, many storms.”
She continued: “I salute her courage and her consistency. And I thank her, because if it wasn’t for her, I certainly wouldn’t be here.”
Mirren was named a lady by the Queen in 2003 for her “services to drama.” After her role in ‘The Queen’, Mirren portrayed the monarch for a second time in the Broadway play ‘The Audience’ in 2015.
Since her tragic passing, many other celebrities from around the world have paid tribute to the Queen.
Elton John, who was knighted by Her Royal Highness in 1998, said in an Instagram statement that he, along with the rest of Britain, were “deeply saddened” by the news.
Fellow Briton Victoria Beckham reiterated what an “incredibly sad” day it was for all who loved the long-reigning monarch.
King Charles III – formerly known as Prince Charles – said in a statement that his mother’s passing was a “moment of great sorrow”.
As previously reported, Queen Elizabeth’s family flocked to her early Thursday after the royal family announced doctors were “concerned” about her health and placed her under “medical supervision”.
The Queen leaves behind four children, eight grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.