Ian McKellen has made a dig at King Charles ahead of the monarch’s first official Christmas speech. The King will deliver the annual royal speech to the nation at 3pm on Christmas Day, and while Sir Ian will be tuning in, he isn’t convinced it will go to plan.

When asked in the Radio Times Christmas Issue if he’ll be watching the broadcast, he quipped: “We’ll watch it, hoping there is no pesky inkstand on his desk to upset him.”

The Lord Of The Rings actor was referring to a video of King Charles having an outburst over a leaking fountain pen during the signing ceremony at Hillsborough Castle, the Royal Family’s home in Northern Ireland, last year.

In the video, which went viral on social media, the king asked an aide: “I just have to put – is it September the 12th?” The aide answered: “13th, sir.”

The monarch remarked: “Oh God, I’ve put the wrong date down. 13th?” Another aide replied: “Yes, sir.” Queen Camilla, who was standing on King Charles’ right-hand side commented: “You signed the 12th earlier.”

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The royal then mutters something inaudible to his wife before standing up and shouting: “Oh God I hate this!”

He then handed the ink pen to Camilla who said: “Oh look, it’s going everywhere, hang on.”

While Camilla is handed another pen to sign her name, in the background King Charles is heard saying: “I can’t bear this bloody thing! What they do, every stinking time.”

He then walks off out of shot. But a leaking pen may be the least of the king’s worries this Christmas as he deals with the continuing fallout over his estranged son Prince Harry’s rift with him and other members of the royal family.