On February 7, 2012, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall attended a ceremony at Westminster Abbey to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of Charles Dickens.  According to the British newspaper, Telegraph, the “…congregation at Westminster Abbey included the largest ever gathering of descendants of the Victorian novelist as well as representatives from the worlds of literature, film, theatre and the media.” 

During the ceremony the Prince of Wales laid a wreath at Dickens’ grave in Poets’ Corner, listened to a speech by the Dean of Westminster Abbey, the Very Reverend Dr. John Hall, as well as listened to  British actor, Ralph Fiennes read “…an extract…” from the novel, Bleak House.

Prior to the ceremony, the royal couple visited the Charles Dickens Museum in London where they listened to the American actress, Gillian Anderson, read various works by the legendary author.

Click the links below to watch a video as well as to view photos:

• VIDEO
• Gallery One
• Gallery Two

Sources: Royal.gov.uk and Telegraph

The Earl of Wessex continued his tour of Lancashire on February 7, 2012 and this afternoon he was in the area known as Blackpool.

First, the youngest son of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh visited the Hornby St. Margaret’s Church of England Primary School.  From there the Earl toured the Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team Training and Vehicle Base.

Afterward, the Earl of Wessex visited Nickelodeon Land in Blackpool, Lancashire.  Whilst there he posed for photos alongside Sponge Bob Squarepants and Dora the Explorer — don’t laugh — and then unveiled a plaque reminding everyone, who visits Nickelodeon Land, that he was actually there.

Finally, the day ended with a visit to the University Centre at Blackpool and the Fylde College to mingle with the students as well as staff.

To watch a video please click here.  

Source: Royal.gov.uk

On February 6, 2012, His Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex was in Lancashire to attend the opening of the Blackburn Youth Zone.  This £8million complex provides the local youth with:

…an extensive sport and fitness facilities, with a multitude of sporting classes and opportunities (including tennis, hockey, netball, unihock, cricket, dodgeball), a state-of-the-art gym and a rooftop kick pitch.

An exciting and varied arts programme includes an expansive dance studio, arts and music workshops, visual arts apparatus and accredited options.

 An informal and relaxed atmosphere with a range of indoor activities and a chill-out zone.

Afterward, the Earl attended the Young Presidents’ Chapter Dinner held at the Blackburn Youth Zone.

Source: Blackburnyz

Beginning on February 8, 2012, the famous Victoria and Albert Museum in London will première the highly anticipated exhibition entitled, Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton: A Diamond Jubilee Celebration.

According to an official press release from the Victoria and Albert Museum:

The exhibition will present highlights of the V&A’s collection of Beaton’s royal photography, depicting The Queen over three decades in her roles as princess, monarch and mother. It will include a number of photographs never before seen, as well as excerpts from Beaton’s personal diaries and letters and broadcast footage.

Click here for more information about Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton: A Diamond Jubilee Celebration.  If you happen to visit or live in and around London why not visit this special exhibition… it ends on April 22, 2012.  An article from Reuters about the exhibition.

Also, there is a new book by well-known British journalist, Andrew Marr, entitled, The Real Elizabeth.  According to an official press release:

Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne of the British monarchy on February 6, 1952 at the age of 25. Today, sixty years later, she is one of England’s longest-reigning monarchs and remains an enigma. In public, she confines herself to optimistic pieties and guarded smiles; in private, she is wry, funny, and an excellent mimic. Now, for the first time, one of Britain’s leading journalists and historians gets behind the mask and tells us the fascinating story of the Queen…

The Real Elizabeth is available now via Amazon, Barnes & Noble as well as other book shops.

Meanwhile, this evening on BBC One, Mr. Marr narrates the history of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in a new three-part documentary entitled, The Diamond Queen.  Click here for more information.

With many thanks to Amelia from the V&A Museum Press Office and Christine Choe from H.Holt and Co. for sending me the information and photos.   🙂