Dame Judi Dench shares touching tribute to late friend Dame Maggie Smith after star’s death
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DAME Judi Dench has opened up about losing her dear friend Dame Maggie Smith - and revealed her heartfelt tribute. Bond star Judi has spoken about the devastating loss of the Harry Potter star, 89, who died in September this year. The 90-year-old star opened up in a new interview for a BBC tribute to her former co-star and revealed an emotional tradition she carries out in memory of her loved ones.
![[Dame Judi has planted a tree in honour of her late friend]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/exclusive-coverage-dame-judy-dench-955760734.jpg?strip=all&w=755)
The Ladies in Lavender actress plants individual trees in memory of her late friends and family in the grounds of her private forest at her Surrey home. The touching tree tribute extends to late friends Alan Rickman, Helen McCrory, Diana Rigg - and her late husband, Michael Williams.
![[Downton Abbey star Maggie died aged 89]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/dame-maggie-smith-dame-judi-936400660.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Dame Judi shared that her gardener recently discovered the sapling she planted for Maggie had borne fruit. Judi told the BBC: "Joe, who works for me, came in and he had one little crab apple. "And so I had it in my pocket at her funeral, which was a very nice thing to have.".
![[Judi and Maggie in A Room With A View in 1985]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ctl39629-allstar-picture-library-goldcrest-936417204.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
It comes after Maggie passed away aged 89 on September 27, after an incredible 70-year career on stage and screen. Maggie's death sparked an outpouring of grief from fellow thespians and Harry Potter fans around the world, with Huge Bonneville leading tributes to a 'true legend of her generation'.
![[The firm friends starred together in Ladies In Lavender in 2004]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/warning-photograph-editorial-use-copyright-936420159.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
