Barry Humphries State Monument LIVE updates: Who’s who from the world of politics and celebrities attends the service at the Sydney Opera House – with a special message from King Charles

Showbiz TV reporter Richard Wilkins is hosting the star-studded memorial service at the Sydney Opera House, now underway – and he warned anyone who arrives late: ‘He’ll still find a way to get you …’

King Charles III is among those paying tribute to comedian Barry Humphries at a state memorial service at the Sydney Opera House.

A message from the King will be read by NSW Governor Margaret Beazley at Friday’s service, 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 paying their tribute.

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, led to an outpouring of tributes to the esteemed 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 that required a hip replacement.

He died at St Vincent’s Hospital due to post-operative complications.

Humphries delighted and outraged audiences for more than half a century with his cavalcade of grotesques, presented in a unique blend of old-fashioned music hall and contemporary satire.

Among them were the coarse Sir Les Patterson, ‘Australia’s cultural ambassador to the Court of St. James’ and the melancholic and tempestuous Sandy Stone.

Dame Edna picked ‘possums’ from her audience and made them squirm, her performances ending with a blizzard of ‘gladdies’

She was a huge critical and popular success.

Humphries continued to tour until the last year of his life and was ‘an entertainer through and through’ who made millions of people laugh.

John Barry Humphries was born on February 17, 1934.

The two-hour commemorative event is co-hosted by the Australian and NSW governments and starts 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

Lawyer Geoffrey Robertson

TV presenter Kerri-Anne Kennerley

Christian Wilkins, son of memorial host Richard Wilkins

A lifelong fan of Barry Humphries has gone out of his way to pay tribute to the beloved Australian entertainer’s decades-long career.

Robin Waerea traveled with fellow superfan Jurgen Hoffman to the Sydney Opera House, where the state memorial for the iconic artist will be held at 11am on Friday.

There was an outpouring of grief across Australia after Humphries died in Sydney on April 22 following complications from hip surgery

Both Mr. Waerea and Mr. Hoffman secured tickets to the large monument as soon as they became available.

Ms Waerea chose to pay tribute to Humphries’ iconic character Dame Edna Everage.

The pair took photos on the steps of the Opera House before Friday’s state memorial, with Mr Waerea receiving the approval of Humphries’ wife Elizabeth Spender.

“Barry’s wife just ran up the stairs to take a picture of Robin, so that was a lot of fun,” Mr. Hoffman said.

‘She said Barry would have been very proud, or he would have been very happy, and asked us three times, ‘Do you have tickets?’

Mr Waerea said he has been dressing up as Edna for the past 30 years, inspired by her ability to “make people laugh”.

“This is my way of showing her respect today.”

Mr Hoffman and Mr Waerea attended the service with a photo of Dame Edna signed by the late Humphries himself.

Mr Hoffman said he loved Humphries for his “range of characters”, as well as the comedy shows and stage productions he staged.

“I’ve dressed up as Sir Les Patterson a few times,” he said.

Mr Waerea will join a long list of celebrities and dignitaries paying tribute to Humphries, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns.

Mr Minns described Humphries as ‘one of the country’s greatest ever comedians’.

“He was a true master of his craft, and his legacy will live on through the unforgettable characters he brought to life on stage and screen,” he said in announcing the service in May.

“The Sydney Opera House is a fitting location for what promises to be a memorable farewell, given the venue’s significance to Australian arts, culture and entertainment.”

In addition to the tributes, performances by the famous comedian will be shown on television. Humphries enjoyed a career spanning seven decades with his work as an actor, poet, musician and artist known around the world.