The Duchess and Duke of Cornwall held a celebration today to celebrate the 70th anniversary her radio 4 soap opera, The Archers.
Camila (74), met with cast members, and watched as the voice actors played a scene. Camila has been listening to this programme for over 40 years at Clarence House today.
The royal graced the fictional village of Ambridge with her presence in 2011 after admitting she was ‘an Archers addict’ who is so dedicated to the soap she has pals update her on the plot while overseas.
This is the world’s longest-running radio soap. But celebrations of its 70th birthday were delayed by the pandemic coronavirus.
The Duchess of Cornwall was all smiled today as she hosted a celebration to mark the 70th anniversary of her beloved Radio 4 soap opera The Archers
June Spencer CBE (74-year-old Duchess) met the Duchess and they cut an Archers-themed birthday cake.
Camilla, 102, met June Spencer during the celebration. June Spencer is most well-known for her role of Peggy Woolley on the BBC soap. She first took up the position in 1950.
Carole Boyd (Ben Norris, Sunny Ormonde, and Ben Archer, who respectively play Lynda Bellamy and Lilian Bellamy), were watched by the Duchess.
During the celebration Camilla met June Spencer, 102, who is best known for her role as Peggy Woolley in the BBC soap having first stepped into the role in 1950.
Her total of 64 years in the role make her the second longest serving actor in a soap opera worldwide and she and Camilla celebrated the show’s success by cutting an Archers themed cake.
Carole Boyd (Ben Norris), Sunny Ormonde and Sunny Ormonde, who respectively play Lynda Smith, Ben Archer, and Lilian Bellamy in the drama, watched.
Camilla also had a meeting with Jeremy Howe (who has been the show’s editor since 2018), before giving a speech celebrating the event.
Camilla is pictured making a speech at the celebration to mark the 70th anniversary of The Archers at Clarence House this afternoon
As cast members played a scene from the longest-running radio soap opera, The Duchess Of Cornwall was seen in good spirits.
During this performance at Clarence House on Wednesday afternoon, the royal listened intently with show editor Jeremy Howe
After the scenes at The Archers’ 70th Anniversary Celebration, Camilla burst into applause.
Camilla, a long-time Archers fan, gave a speech at this celebration to celebrate the show.
At the event, she was in good spirits and wore a black structured gown with white decorative stitching that she teamed with black tights.
A pair of pearl earrings was a common accessory for the royal.
Camilla was an Archers fan for many decades. Prince Charles, however, is less enthusiastic about the radio program.
When she met cast members for the programme’s 60th anniversary the royal admitted she ‘cannot do without’ the programme and that she was so upset by the death of long-standing character Nigel Pargetter that January that she broke down in tears.
In 2011, she even appeared on the show. As president of The National Osteoporosis Society, she was at Grey Gables Country House Hotel to address supporters.
The royal has previously admitted she ‘cannot do without’ the programme and made a speech at the event this afternoon commemorating 70 years of the soap opera
In high spirits, the Duchess wore black and structured dresses with white stitching. She paired them with black tights.
Camilla met Jeremy Howe (who has been the show’s editor since 2018), before giving a speech celebrating the show.
The Royal was often polished and accessorized with delicate pearl earrings and small gold chains.
Camilla looked in great spirits during the event and was pictured shaking hands at the editor.
Camilla looked radiant at Clarence House’s celebration of the program, which she had been listening to for 40+ years.
The editor of The Archers Jeremy Howe is pictured making a speech at the reception this afternoon
After Princess Margaret and the first episode in 1984, The Duchess has been the second appearance of the royal family on the show.
Camilla appeared alongside character Caroline Sterling – played by Sara Coward – who also performed alongside Princess Margaret when she made her appearance more than 35 years ago.
Actress Sara said at the time: ‘It was fascinating to go to Kensington Palace to record with Princess Margaret 27 years ago, and Clarence House was still more fun. The Duchess was relaxed, charming and wonderfully natural.’
The Midlands Home Service aired the pilot episode on The Archers, May 29, 1950. The show went national on January 1, 1951.