The Duchess of Cornwall hosted a reception at Clarence House for her favourite radio drama, The Archers, on Tuesday, celebrating the long-running serial.
Joined by 70 cast and crew members, Camilla got to listen to a special-written episode of the BBC Radio 1 show that featured characters Lynda, Lilian and Ben and then cut a cake with June Spencer, the 102-year-old actress who plays a character named Peggy Woolley.
In a speech, Camilla said that The Archers has been a “faithful companion for a large part of my life,” and that like “many other Archers addicts, I have been known to become quite ratty if disturbed between 7:00 pm and 7:15 pm – and, like thousands of others, had severe withdrawal symptoms when you all-but-disappeared during lockdown!”
She continued: “But I’m very glad you’re back; let’s keep it that way. I was thrilled to be asked to appear in an episode ten years ago – although, not being a noted thespian, I was only entrusted to play myself, with the help of Ian, who is here, and the late, lamented Caroline.”
Speaking of the show’s history of not shying away from tackling the issues, the Duchess said, “Over the decades, you have tackled homophobia, racism, discrimination, modern slavery, alcohol addiction, domestic violence and coercive control. Thanks to the light that you have shone on these, and other painful subjects, millions of people now have a better understanding of them – and have been equipped with the tools to respond effectively when they encounter such issues in their own lives. For 70 years of raising awareness of others’ hidden struggles, we are deeply grateful.
“Now, let us look forward to the next 70 years in Ambridge. Please don’t let anything to hinder your broadcasts. Remember that, in 1962, which some of us remember quite well, Harold Macmillan was forced to sack members of his Cabinet. As he did so, he was heard to remark, ‘Interfering with the Cabinet is as serious as interfering with The Archers.’”
The Duchess of Cornwall is not the only royal fan of The Archers, though. Princess Margaret once appeared as herself in a June 1984 episode attending a fashion show in Ambridge.
