Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall have paid tribute to their late friend Joan Rivers, describing the legendary comedian and TV host as an "extraordinary woman" while adding that she's "irreplaceable."
The Fashion Police star died yesterday afternoon in a New York City hospital at the age of 81 after suffering a cardiac arrest during throat surgery a week ago, leaving her friends, family, work colleagues and fans around the world devastated at the loss. Joan's passing has even had an affect on the royal family with Charles, 65, and his wife Camilla, 67, honouring the comedienne in a touching statement.
Released to E! News on behalf of the royal couple, the tribute reads: "The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Joan Rivers. [She] 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."
Many may have forgotten that Joan was friends with Prince Charles and the Duchess, having been only one of four Americans selected to attend their highly-publicised wedding on April 9, 2005. Joan's royal history doesn't stop there though as she also graced the stage at the 'We Are Most Amused' comedy gala in 2008, entertaining several royals including Princes William and Harry to celebrate Charles' 60th birthday.
Prince Charles and Camilla invited Joan Rivers to attend their 2005 wedding (WENN)
Speaking about her fondness of the the Duke and Duchess, Joan told the Mail Online in 2010: "Charles and Camilla have a great sense of humour. He is so charming, so humorous. All the passions that everyone used to laugh at him for - organic food, architecture, talking to the flowers - we're all into those things now. He is so far ahead of his time, and I think he will be a very good monarch. He is a very smart man and I adore him."
Joan was surrounded by her family, including daughter Melissa, when she passed yesterday at the Mount Sinai Hospital after spending a week in a medically induced coma and relying on life support machines. Her funeral is expected to take place on Sunday.
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