Speaking during a visit to Britain, where Humphries enjoyed huge success, Anthony Albanese said a state funeral would recognise the late 89-year-old’s contributions to stage, screen and country.

“Barry Humphries was the quintessential Australian character,” Albanese told Talk TV in an interview broadcast yesterday.

“We’ll be paying tribute to him at a state funeral. He’s someone who has given an enormous amount of pleasure to generations of Australians.”

Albanese dismissed suggestions that Humphries’ comments about transgender people, which stirred controversy in some quarters, should disqualify him from state recognition.

“I think we’ve got to be able to laugh at ourselves,” Albanese said, adding that acceptance changes over time.

“I think there were 12 episodes of ‘Fawlty Towers’ and they were fantastic,” he said, citing a popular 1970s British comedy series.

“They were good fun. In my view, today… well, maybe you might do it differently.”

Humphries performed as the exuberant Dame Edna for more than 60 years prior to his death, helping bring drag into the mainstream during the second half of the 20th century.

His larger-than-life alter-ego was known for her bitingly satirical political and social commentary.

But the last few years saw Humphries hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons following repeated remarks about trans people that left a sour taste in the mouths of many LGBTQ+ people, allies and fans, including voicing support for trans opponent Germaine Greer in 2016.

Humphries “passed away peacefully” surrounded by family on April 22, his publicist said.