Paul O’Grady’s widower Andre Portasio revealed on Loose Women on Tuesday that Queen Camilla reached out to him after Paul’s death.
Comedian and presenter Paul died of cardiac arrhythmia in March 2023 at the age of 67 leaving behind Andre and their only daughter Sharon.
Paul was a close friend of Camilla and she appeared in a special episode of Paul’s documentary series For The Love Of Dogs.
Andre told the panellists: ‘I was surprised to receive a letter from you and, I must confess, it took me a long time to respond.
The Brazilian added to the public’s greater delight: ‘It’s not every day you receive a letter from the Queen!’
Paul O’Grady’s widower Andre Portasio revealed on Loose Women on Tuesday that Queen Camilla reached out to him after Paul’s death.
Comedian and presenter Paul died of cardiac arrhythmia in March 2023 at the age of 67 (pictured with Camilla in 2012)
Andre told the panellists: “I was surprised to receive a letter from you and, I must confess, it took me a long time to respond.”
He continued: ‘Then I would wake up and think, ‘I must respond to your letter,’ and I would sit up and say, ‘Dear Camilla…”
Andre pretended to crumple a piece of paper and said, “No!” before continuing: ‘”Dear Queen Camilla…”‘ and repeating the action and exclamation.
It comes after Andre revealed he plans to donate dresses belonging to Paul’s drag alter ego Lily Savage.
Andre, who married Paul in 2007, admitted that Lily’s wigs and belongings “don’t belong to him” but belong “to the nation.”
Paul, who was a social worker in Birkenhead before moving to London, began his glittering showbiz career as a drag performer in the 1980s.
She would tour local pubs and clubs across the UK as the iconic Lily Savage.
speaking to Mirror Discussing her heartbreak and keeping her late husband’s legacy alive, Andre said she used to tell the TV personality that Lily’s costumes were a “piece of history.”
But in typically modest Paul style, he dismissed it, saying the most prized possessions were simply “defective.”
Revealing that he houses an attic full of memories, Andre told the publication: “I think in the end he was really tired of having to put on make-up and all the practical aspects of becoming Lily, although he never completely retired it.” and she kept coming back.
When Paul was alive, his partner persuaded him to donate some items to the V&A, but there are still many other pieces he is setting aside.
‘They don’t belong to me, they belong to the nation. I feel like the general audience would love to see them again, and how to carry their legacy forward weighs heavily on me.”
Andre also admitted that he was humbled by the nation’s response to the TV star’s first birthday, as they left him an overwhelming amount of support through cards and teddy bears with miniature dogs.
It came just days after fans admitted they “couldn’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 public’s greater delight: ‘It’s not every day you receive a letter from the Queen!’
Paul was a close friend of Camilla and she appeared in a special episode of Paul’s documentary series For The Love Of Dogs.
It comes after Andre revealed he plans 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 “don’t belong to him” but belong “to the nation” (pictured: Andre and Paul in 2019).