King Charles III and Queen Camilla hosted a reception to celebrate his life and William Shakespeare’s contribution to the culture of the United Kingdom in the year marking the 400th anniversary of the publication of the First Folio.
The King and Queen were joined by the Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, who enjoyed a short performance by actors and musicians from the Royal Shakespeare Company, including Dame Harriet Walter, Sir Simon Russell Beale, and Ray Fearon.
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Charles III’s connection with William Shakespeare
For Charles III, the celebration had special significance because of his lifelong interest in the works of William Shakespeare.
His love for the celebrated writer dates back to his boarding school days when he played the title role in ‘Macbeth’ in 1965.
Over the years, Charles’ enthusiasm for the greatest figure in English literature remained evident.
As Prince of Wales, Charles became chairman of the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1991.
In 2016, he took part in a performance of ‘Hamlet’ alongside eminent actors such as Sir Ian McKellen and Benedict Cumberbatch to honor the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.
Even after a church service, when Queen Elizabeth was buried in King George VI’s memorial chapel, Charles III paid tribute to his late mother by quoting Hamlet:
“May flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest.”
This reference showed the profound impact of Shakespeare’s timeless words on the new monarch.
‘May flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest.’
In loving memory of Her Majesty The Queen.
1926 – 2022 pic.twitter.com/byh5uVNDLq
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 19, 2022
‘The First Folio’ and Shakespeare’s enduring legacy.
The event also paid tribute to William Shakespeare’s literary legacy through the display of ‘The First Folio,’ a collection of ‘Comedies, Histories and Tragedies’ printed in 1623, just seven years after the playwright’s death and containing 36 plays, 18 of which would have been lost without publication.
This first folio contains plays that had never before been published, ensuring the preservation of seminal works, including the iconic ‘Macbeth’.
The presence of this historic collection added a sense of reverence to the occasion, emphasizing the enduring impact of Shakespeare’s contributions to English literature.
A copy of the First Folio is preserved in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle and was on display during the reception.