Dame Maggie Smith laid to rest in London in ‘warm and funny’ private service

Dame Maggie Smith was honoured in a private funeral service at Richmond's Mortlake Crematorium on Monday, November 4. The revered actress, known for her memorable roles as Professor McGonagall in 'Harry Potter', the Dowager Countess in 'Downton Abbey', and the lead in 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie', passed away on September 27 at the age of 89. Her passing brought together family and friends who celebrated her "richly lived" life at the 4pm service.

A guest shared with DailyMail.com: "Such a beautiful goodbye to Maggie Smith today. It was warm and funny and full of love and brilliant eulogies, with the best hymns being belted out by all. It was poignant but not sad because hers was a life so richly lived.I knew her because of Robert's decades of working with her but I adored her."

The guest continued: "Molly was traumatised when she first met her as she knew her as the terrifying housekeeper Mrs Medlock in The Secret Garden! Maggie was as funny and sharp as it gets. One of the greats."

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Her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, confirmed her death back in September, stating: "She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September. An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother."

The family expressed their deepest gratitude in a poignant message: "We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days."

They continued to seek respect for their privacy, adding, "We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time."

Maggie's storied career began with an uncredited role in 'Child in the House' back in 1956, but it was 'Nowhere to Go' that won her the first of five BAFTA trophies. She reached a pinnacle in 1969, claiming the Academy Award for Best Actress with her iconic portrayal in 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie', and secured her second Oscar in 1978 as Best Supporting Actress for 'California Suite'.

As tributes pour in, King Charles voiced his deep sadness over Maggie's loss, while 'Harry Potter' star Daniel Radcliffe, who made his acting debut beside her in a BBC adaptation of 'David Copperfield', shared that he was "heartbroken" following the news.

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