Gielgud leaves £1.5m

Sir John Gielgud: One of the all-time greats of stage and screen

Legendary British actor Sir John Gielgud has left an estate worth almost £1.5m, most of which will go to charity.

Sir John, who died in May at the age of 96, left instructions for the bulk of his estate to go to charitable causes he supported during his lifetime.

Under the will he has bequeathed a sum to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where he studied for a year in 1923, eventually becoming President and the first Honorary Fellow.

He also made specific cash legacies to friends and charities such as the Actors' Charitable Trust and the King George V Fund for Actors and Actresses.

Snuffbox

London's Theatre Museum receives a number of personal items including a snuffbox which once belonged to celebrated Victorian actor Charles Kean.

The National Portrait Gallery gets two portraits of actors, including his great aunt Ellen Terry.

Solicitor Ian Bradshaw, of the firm Goodman Derrick, one of the executors of his will, explained that responsibility for the distribution of Sir John's estate rests with the executors.

"During his lifetime he made it known to them the charities he wished to benefit under the will.

"The executors will give these wishes proper consideration," he said.

The executors will also dispose of his papers and archives.