Emma Watson pays tribute to ‘legend’ Dame Maggie Smith as star dies aged 89 after incredible 70-year career

EMMA Watson has paid a heartfelt tribute to Dame Maggie Smith who passed away yesterday.

The Hermione Granger actor, 34, broke her silence with a snap of herself and Maggie behind the scenes.

In the photo, Maggie, who died aged 89, gently held Emma's face in a tender moment.

The beloved actress played Professor Minerva McGonagall in the blockbuster film franchise.

Crew and other cast members smiled at the two women as they took a break from filming a scene from Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2.

"When I was younger I had no idea of Maggie's legend - the woman I was fortunate enough to share space with," Emma wrote.

"It is only as I've become an adult that I've come to appreciate that I shared the screen with a true definition of greatness.

'She was real, honest, funny and self-honouring. Maggie, there were a lot of male professors and by God you held your own.

"Thank you for all of your kindness. I'll miss you," she added.

Maggie passed away "peacefully" inside a hospital on September 27.

Maggie was also well-known for bringing her scathing wit to other roles, including as Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey.

Her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens said she died in hospital early this morning.

In a statement issued via their publicist, they said: “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith.

"She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday September 27.

"An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end."

The statement adds: "She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days.

"We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time."

The King called her a "national treasure" in his statement.

"As the curtain comes down on a national treasure, we join all those around the world in remembering with the fondest admiration and affection her many great performances, and her warmth and wit that shone through both off and on the stage."

Stars of the TV and film world have also paid tribute to the acting icon.

Former co-star Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley in Harry Potter, changed his Instagram profile picture to an image of himself being kissed on the cheek by Dame Maggie.

Hugh Bonneville, who played the son of Dame Maggie's character in Downton Abbey, said: "Anyone who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable talent.

"She was a true legend of her generation and thankfully will live on in so many magnificent screen performances.

"My condolences to her boys and wider family."

US actress Whoopi Goldberg said she felt "lucky" to have worked alongside her.

The actors starred together in Sister Act, where Dame Maggie played Reverend Mother Superior while Goldberg portrayed Deloris Van Cartier.

Whoopi shared an old picture of the two on set, dressed as nuns, on Instagram and described her as a "great woman".

She wrote: "Maggie Smith was a great woman and a brilliant actress. I still can't believe I was lucky enough to work with the 'one-of-a-kind'. My heartfelt condolences go out to the family... RIP."

TV presenter Gyles Brandreth, meanwhile, described her as “wise, witty, waspish, wonderful”.

Sharing a photo of them together, he wrote: "The saddest news: the death of Dame Maggie Smith marks the end of a golden era & a quite extraordinary life.

"She was a truly great actress, ‘one of the greats’ & simply the best company: wise, witty, waspish, wonderful.

"One of a kind in every way and consequently irreplaceable."