Advertisement

Princes Charles and Camilla to read ‘wonderful’ Dickens’ Christmas classic

 (@DuchessofCornwallsReadi​ngRoom/PA Wire)
(@DuchessofCornwallsReadi​ngRoom/PA Wire)

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall will read extracts of Charles Dickens’ festive classic A Christmas Carol to mark Christmas.

The series is being published on social media and will run over the 12 days of Christmas.

The series, broadcast via @DuchessofCornwallsReadingRoom on Instagram, will begin on Christmas Day, with the Prince of Wales reading stave one of the famous story in which misanthrope Ebenezer Scrooge rediscovers the magic of Christmas.

 (PA)
(PA)

Other voices include Miriam Margolyes, Paterson Joseph, Sir Derek Jacobi, Simon Callow, Stephen Mangan and Bridgette Amofah.

In a video introducing the series, the Duchess said: “A Christmas Carol is a story which in so many ways begun Christmas as we know it today.

“It follows themes of love, kindness, compassion and tolerance, and it speaks to the heart.”

The Prince of Wales urged listeners to join him and Camilla as they, along with “a little help from some friends”, shared Charles Dickens’ “wonderful story”.

 (PA)
(PA)

Echoing the words of one of the fable’s best-loved characters, the Prince of Wales said: “God bless us, every one.”

It comes after the pair announced they would be spending Christmas day with the Queen.

The Queen will be staying at Windsor for her first Christmas without her late husband the Duke of Edinburgh, rather than travelling to Sandringham as usual.

But she will be joined by members of her family over the festive period, including a visit from Charles and Camilla on Christmas Day.

However, it is unlikely the 95-year-old monarch’s daughter Princess Anne will be joining her after her husband Sir Timothy Lawrence tested positive for Covid-19.

Meanwhile, it is understood Prince Charles’ son, the Duke of Cambridge, and his wife will spend Christmas in Norfolk where they will be joined by some members of the Middleton family.