Dame Maggie Smith struggled with self-doubt and "didn't believe she was loved", her son Toby Stephens has revealed in a heartfelt tribute to the late actress.

Toby shared that despite his mother's immense fame and global admiration for her iconic roles in and , she never truly accepted the extent of her popularity.

, leaving behind her sons Christopher and Toby, as well as five grandchildren.

Toby, 55, the son of Dame Maggie , expressed his mixed emotions about the public's response to her death.

While he and his family have been touched by the outpouring of love, he regrets that his mother never allowed herself to fully absorb the adoration she received during her lifetime.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Toby revealed: "It's been incredibly moving for my family to see how universally loved and admired she was. That was something she never really allowed herself to believe. She was just like all of us, she didn't have that self-confidence."

The family reflects poignantly on their journey since the loss, with her son sharing: "It's been tough. She had been ill for a while and it was very hard to see that. But she was in her 90th year, she'd had a really good innings," reports .

He confessed with heartfelt honesty: "Purely on a selfish level, I miss having her in my life, being able to talk to her."

At the time of her passing, Toby and Chris released a statement: "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 27 September. An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother."

Deeply appreciative, they said: "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."

Dame Maggie was laid to rest in a small, personalised ceremony last month at Mortlake Crematorium in Kew.

Following her death, tributes came in globally - such as from Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, who spoke of her "fierce intellect" and "gloriously sharp tongue".