Wands Raised in Memory of Iconic Professor McGonagall Actress, Dame Maggie Smith
Dame Maggie Smith, beloved for her portrayal of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films, was honoured in a touching tribute at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter after her passing on September 27, at the age of 89.
Fans gathered at the theme park, raising their wands to the sky in a traditional Hogwarts tribute to celebrate her legacy.
A viral social media post capturing the tribute was captioned, “Wands up… RIP Dame Maggie Smith. There’s no McGonagall without you.”
The post highlighted her impact not only as McGonagall but across other iconic roles such as Mrs. Medlock in The Secret Garden, Thetis in Clash of the Titans, Granny Wendy in Hook, and Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey.
The tribute also noted the poignant timing, as it marked one year since the passing of Michael Gambon, who played Professor Dumbledore.
The fan added that future Harry Potter movie marathons would carry deeper emotional significance, especially during scenes like McGonagall’s famous line, “I’ve Always Wanted To Use That Spell!”
The tribute brought fans together in front of the Hogwarts castle, a fitting location to honour the actress who brought to life one of the most beloved professors in the wizarding world.