The actor aired some explosive opinions about the royal family in a new interview

has some thoughts about the royal family.

In an interview with in the U.K. published on Friday, Sept. 6, the actor recalled his first interaction with the . “The Queen, I’m sure she was quite mad at the end,” , said. “And on the few occasions I met her she was quite rude.”

“When I received a medal for acting [the Companion of Honor in 2008], she said, ‘You’ve been doing this for an awfully long time.’ ” McKellan responded, hoping the joke would land: “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,” he continued. “It meant, ‘Does anyone care a f*** about you because I don’t. Now off you go!’ ”

Related:

The Lord of the Rings alum also said, “Hats off to anyone who manages to stay sane in that world,” referring to the Queen’s husband, , who died in 2021. “Although even he was deeply, deeply eccentric and I suspect deeply unhappy.”

“Same with the present king,” he continued, referring to . “He sort of survives, but he is clearly damaged.”

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Elsewhere in the interview, McKellan spoke about , who in 2020. The actor said he is “most definitely on Harry’s side.” The publication noted that was “open on the table in front of him” at the time of the interview.