King Charles III is among those to pay tribute to comedian Barry Humphries in a state memorial service at the Sydney Opera House.
A message from the King will be read by NSW Governor Margaret Beazley at the service on Friday, followed by a video tribute from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Sir Elton John, Rupert Murdoch, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Walliams and Bruce Beresford, are also among those to offer their tributes.
The comedy legend, best known for his alter egos Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, died in Sydney on April 22, at the age of 89.
Humphries’ extraordinary international career, spanning seven decades, will also be remembered by family, friends and fans.
His death, following complications from surgery, sparked an outpouring of tributes for the treasured national icon at home and abroad.
Humphries, who lived in London for decades, returned to Sydney in December last year, where he suffered a fall requiring a hip replacement.
He died in St Vincent’s Hospital as a result of complications following the operation.
Humphries delighted and outraged audiences for more than half a century with his cavalcade of grotesques, presented in a unique blend of old-style music hall and contemporary satire.
Among them were the gross Sir Les Patterson, Australia’s ‘cultural attache to the Court of St James’ and the melancholy and rambling Sandy Stone.
Dame Edna picked out ‘possums’ from her audience and made them squirm, her appearances ending with a blizzard of ‘gladdies’
She was a huge critical and popular success.
Humphries continued touring up until the last year of his life and was ‘an entertainer to his core’ who brought laughter to millions.
John Barry Humphries was born on February 17, 1934.
The two-hour memorial event is being co-hosted by the Australian and NSW governments and begins at 11am.
Oscar Humphries with his children
Oscar Humphries with his children
Guests dressed as Dame Edna Everage attend the State Memorial for Barry Humphries
John Howard, former Prime Minister of Australia and his wife Janette Howard
Malcolm Turnbull, former Prime Minister of Australia and his wife Lucy Hughes Turnbull
Barrister Geoffrey Robertson
TV presenter Kerri-Anne Kennerley