Published September 28,2024
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“Harry Potter” followers raised their wands exterior the Hogwarts Castle reproduction in Florida in a tribute to Maggie Smith, who died in hospital at age 89.
Mourners gathered at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios in Orlando to honour the reminiscence of the late actress, who performed Professor Minerva McGonagall within the movie sequence.
The heartfelt tribute is a part of a practice carried out by “Harry Potter” followers when an actor of the film franchise dies.
It echoes the scene in “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince” when college students and workers of Hogwarts increase their wands following the loss of life of Albus Dumbledore.
A TikTok video filmed by Geraint Walker, 32, exhibits dozens of attendees lifting their wands skyward exterior the citadel to a smattering of cheering adopted by silence.
The scientific informaticist based mostly in Port Talbot, Wales, captioned the footage: “Wands up for Dame Maggie Smith/Professor McGonagall at @UniversalDestinations Florida #wandsupformcgonagall #maggiesmith.”
Walker advised the PA news company: “The atmosphere was quite sombre, quite muted, but also respectful at the same time.
“It’s the primary time I’ve been there when the wands went up, so I did not really know what was going to occur, nevertheless it all simply created that feeling of respect to Dame Maggie Smith.
“We as a family are quite big ‘Harry Potter’ fans and Professor McGonagall as a character means a lot to people, sort of a lovely figure that everyone loves and knows.”
He mentioned that “you can see the outpouring of respect not just for ‘Harry Potter’ but for all the other films” and TV exhibits Smith has starred in, together with “David Copperfield,” “Sister Act” and “Downton Abbey.”
“I think Dame Maggie Smith is a very respected and loved person as an actress and is probably one of the best of this current generation of actresses in the UK, and probably into the future as well,” Walker added.
“Harry Potter” stars together with Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint paid tribute to Smith following her loss of life.
Radcliffe, who performed Harry Potter, has remembered Smith as a “fierce intellect” with a “gloriously sharp tongue” who put him comfortable when he first met her as a baby actor.
Grint, who performed Ron Weasley, mentioned he feels “incredibly lucky” to have labored together with her whereas Watson, who starred as Hermione Granger within the fantasy movie sequence, mentioned the actress was “real, honest, funny and self-honouring.”
“Harry Potter” writer JK Rowling wrote on X: “Somehow I thought she’d live forever. RIP Dame Maggie Smith.”
Source: www.anews.com.tr