Joanna Lumley says Prince Charles and Camilla made her ‘so welcome’ as she visited Clarence House to read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas for a charity video.
The Absolutely Fabulous star, 74, joined a host of A-list stars including Daniel Craig and Dames Judi Dench and Maggie Smith to raise awareness about the Actors’ Benevolent Fund (ABF).
Appearing on Good Morning Britain today, Joanna told that she, Dame Maggie and Tom Hardy were lucky enough to visit the Duke and Duchess’ royal residence, and that it was more like a ‘family home’ than a palace.
She told how Clarence House has a ‘warm and friendly feeling’ and that while she, the royals and the other actors were separated due to Covid restrictions, she felt very comfortable at the palace.
Prince Charles (pictured) and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall were joined by James Bond stars Daniel Craig and Dame Judi Dench as well as a host of A-list stars to narrate ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas for charity.
Joanna Lumley, pictured, was among the stars featuring in the festive video which was partially filmed at Clarence House
The Duchess of Cornwall offered royal fans a glimpse at the corridor where Joanna Lumley recorded in a video shared last week
When asked about filming the Christmas Tale, she said: ‘It was the staircase in Clarence house, Dame Judy did hers from home, Daniel Craig was in some secret Bond hide out, but the rest of us went to Clarence house.
‘Dame Maggie was in Morning Room, Tom Hardy and I and the Duchess and the Prince of Cornwall were gathered around the staircase with the Christmas tree, but all at different times sadly.’
She went on: ‘It was such fun and the Prince and Duchess made us so welcome there. It was a lovely family home with Christmas trees, and stuff around.
‘It had such warm and friendly feeling, not scary, not like a palace just like a darling family home.’
Appearing on Good Morning Britain today, Joanna told
The Prince of Wales read the famous opening lines of Clement Clarke Moore’s poem: ”Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.’
Charles is the ABF’s patron and came up with the idea of gathering a group of actors for the reading after being approached by the charity to help following Covid-19’s major impact on the acting profession.
Joanna called the Prince ‘terrific’, explaining that he’s ‘always loved’ the arts, and has several actor friends.
‘He’s terrific’, she said, ‘He was an actor when he was a school boy, he acted in school plays, he’s always loved drama.
The royals read from the classic Christmas tale to raise awareness about the Actors’ Benevolent Fund (ABF) which has received more requests for help this year than ever before. Camilla is pictured
‘He’s always gone backstage at places like the Royal Shakespeare company, he’s friends with actors and remember he’s a great speaker. But he absolutely loves it and I thought he started off just right.’
The ABF supports actors, actresses and stage managers who are unable to work due to illness, injury or old age and those experiencing financial hardship.
Speaking of the Prince raising awareness for the fun, Joanna went on: ‘The Prince of Wales is quite exceptional, he’s hugely involved in the arts, personally, he’s always going to the theatre.
Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa, left, and Tom Hardy, right, also appeared in the video, which was released on social media today
‘He was desperate about the plight of the performers and also back stage, the people hardest hit because there’s been no furlough, they have no prop up, they’re all freelancers – so it’s been really thin this year.’
Before the pandemic the ABF mainly supported those of retirement age but during 2020 they have been largely helping those aged 18-47.
In April the charity launched an Emergency Grant Fund to support those experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic.
Charles and Camilla have been supporting the arts and entertainment sector during the recent difficult period.
