Press & Communications

Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will attend a ceremony at Westminster Abbey to mark the bicentenary of the birth of Charles Dickens, on 7th February 2012.

The ceremony, which will be held at 11.15 am, is one of a number of events being held internationally this year to mark the anniversary of the great Victorian writer, who is buried in the South Transept of the Abbey.

The Prince of Wales will lay a wreath on Dickens’ grave as part of the ceremony, which will also include readings from Dickens’ novels and his other writings by actor and director Ralph Fiennes, author Claire Tomalin and two of his descendants; Mark Dickens and Bishop Michael Whinney. The Archbishop of Canterbury will give a short Address.

The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, said: 'Dickens' humanity and compassion made an extraordinary impact on Victorian England through his writings, which remain immensely popular. This bicentenary should help renew our commitment to improving the lot of the disadvantaged of our own day.'

The event at Westminster Abbey, a centerpiece of Dickens 2012, the international campaign marking the author’s bicentenary, will celebrate Dickens's lasting impact on the arts and his popularity with audiences around the globe. It will also mark the largest gathering of descendants of the great novelist, with over 200 family members attending.  The congregation will also include people from the world of literature, film, theatre and media.

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