Paul O’Grady’s widower Andre Portasio revealed on Loose Women on Tuesday that Queen Camilla contacted him after Paul’s death.
Comedian and presenter Paul died of a cardiac arrhythmia in March 2023 at the age of 67, leaving behind André and his only daughter Sharon.
Paul was close friends with Camilla and she made an appearance in a special episode of Paul’s documentary series For The Love Of Dogs.
André told the panelists: “I was shocked to receive a letter from her and, I must admit, it took me so long to respond.
The Brazilian added to the audience’s amusement: “It’s not every day you get the Queen’s letter!”
Paul O’Grady’s widower Andre Portasio revealed on Loose Women on Tuesday that Queen Camilla contacted him after Paul’s death.
Comedian and presenter Paul died of a cardiac arrhythmia in March 2023 aged 67 (pictured with Camilla in 2012)
Andre told the panellists: ‘I was shocked to receive a letter from her and, I must admit, it took me so long to respond.
He continued: “So I would wake up and think, ‘I have to answer her letter,’ and I would sit down and say, ‘Dear Camilla…’
André mimed crumpling a piece of paper and said “No!” before continuing: ‘”Dear Queen Camilla…”‘ and repeating the action and exclamation.
This comes after Andre revealed he planned to donate dresses belonging to Paul’s drag alter ego, Lily Savage.
Andre, who married Paul in 2007, admitted Lily’s wigs and belongings “don’t belong to her”, but rather “to the nation”.
Paul, who was a social worker in Birkenhead before moving to London, began his glitzy showbiz career as a drag performer in the 1980s.
He toured local pubs and clubs across the UK under the iconic name Lily Savage.
Speaking to the Mirror about her heartbreak and preserving her late husband’s legacy, Andre said he used to tell the TV personality that Lily’s costumes were a ‘slice of history’ .
But with typical Paul modesty, he brushed that idea aside and declared that the most precious possessions were just a state of mind.
Revealing that he lives in an attic full of memories, Andre told the publication: “I think by the end he was very tired of having to do make-up and having to do all the practicalities of becoming Lily, even though he never completely removed it and it continued to make returns.
During his lifetime, his partner persuaded him to donate some items to the V&A, but he still puts many other pieces aside.
“They don’t belong to me, they belong to the nation. I think the general public would absolutely love to see them again, and that weighs very heavily on me in how I move his legacy forward.
Andre also admitted that the nation’s response to the TV star’s first birthday had humbled him, as it left him with overwhelming support in the form of cards and miniature teddy bears.
It came just days after fans admitted they “can’t watch” The Life and Death of Lily Savage, as ITV marked the first anniversary of Paul’s tragic death.
The Brazilian added to the audience’s amusement: “It’s not every day you get the Queen’s letter!”
Paul was close friends with Camilla and she made an appearance in a special episode of Paul’s documentary series, For The Love Of Dogs.
It comes after Andre revealed he planned to donate dresses belonging to Paul’s drag alter ego Lily Savage (pictured).
Andre, who married Paul in 2007, admitted that Lily’s wigs and belongings “do not belong to him”, but rather “to the nation” (photo: André and Paul in 2019)
