Prince Charles and Camilla pay tribute to 'utterly irreplaceable' close friend Joan Rivers
Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, have released a statement about the death of their close-friend Joan Rivers.
The royal couple were friends with the American comedienne, who died yesterday in New York after being in a week-long medically-induced coma.
A Clarence House spokesperson published a statement this morning revealing Charles and his wife Camilla were "deeply saddened" about Rivers' death.
It reads: "The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Joan Rivers."
His Royal Highness said: "Joan Rivers was an extraordinary woman with an original and indefatigable spirit, an unstoppable sense of humour and an enormous zest for life. She will be hugely missed and utterly irreplaceable."
Joan was a guest at Their Royal Highnesses' wedding back in 2005 and performed for His Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry at the 'We Are Most Amused' comedy gala, in aid of The Prince's Trust, for his 60th birthday.
The Prince and Duchess of Cornwall loved the American comedienne's near-the-knuckle humour and her larger-than-life personality. And the feeling was mutual, with the US chat show host a very vocal supporter of the royal couple.
The friendship quickly developed and she was invited to the Prince's wedding two years later.A few months before the royal couple married, Rivers appeared on the Larry King show, praising Charles and Camilla's relationship: "They are so right together. They are so terrific together and they complement each other. This should have happened 35 years ago."
The couple aren't the first to pay tribute to the late star, who was hospitalised last Thursday after a routine medical procedure.
British comedian Ricky Gervais took to Twitter to tell his fans he thought Joan was 'one of a kind'.
He said: "RIP the might Joan Rivers. Funny & fearless. Truly one of a kind."
Sharon Osbourne, whose daughter Kelly co-hosted E!'s Fashion Police with Joan, also tweeted.
She said: "My heart goes out to Melissa and her son Edgar loper. Love and respect from the Osbourne family to you both. "