Queen Elizabeth was "certainly not quite mad" before her death, a royal expert has insisted

She told the Daily Express as calls grow for the star to hand back his knighthood: "Her Majesty the Queen was certainly not 'quite mad'.

"Most people from staff to politicians say she was mentally sharp to the end of her life.

"As for her being 'rude' when Sir Ian McKellen received his medal, the Queen usually had to move on to other people waiting for their medals, working a routine which made sure everyone being decorated had a few moments with her.

"She tried to treat celebrities and ordinary people the same way and most people treasured that time with her."

Royal biographer Christopher Wilson added about Sir Ian's comments: "If the Queen was rude to him, which I doubt, I expect he imagined it.

"There are almost no recorded instances of her being rude to anybody. He probably asked for it.

"Sir Ian may be a good actor but he always has to be the centre of attention. And, sadly for him, on that occasion the Queen was infinitely more important than a lucky thespian with a malicious tongue."

Sir Ian was knighted for services to the performing arts in 1991 and Queen Elizabeth II appointed him Companion of Honour for his services to drama and equality in 2008.

He said about the Queen: "I'm sure she was quite mad at the end. And on the few occasions I met her she was quite rude.

"When I received a medal for acting, she said, 'You've been doing this for an awfully long time'.

"I said, 'Well, not as long as you'. I got a royal smile for that, but then she said, 'Does anyone still actually go to the theatre?'

"That's bloody rude when you're giving someone a medal for acting.

"It meant, 'Does anyone care a f*** about you because I don't. Now off you go!'"

Sir Ian added about the Queen's late husband Prince Philip he was "deeply, deeply eccentric" possibly "deeply unhappy".

He said: "Same with the present king. He sort of survives, but he is clearly damaged.

"As for (Prince) Harry, he's probably not bright enough or doesn't have the right friends to really help himself."