The Duchess of Cornwall hosts a reception to celebrate 70 years of The Archers

Published

Today The Duchess of Cornwall invited cast and crew of BBC Radio 4’s The Archers to Clarence House to celebrate the programme’s 70th anniversary year.  

On 1st January 2021, episode number 19,343 of The Archers on BBC Radio 4 marked 70 years of the world’s longest running serial drama and the start of an anniversary year for the programme.

The Duchess of Cornwall is a long-standing listener to The Archers and made a cameo appearance as herself in a special episode marking the 60th anniversary of the show. 

The Duchess meets Archers cast

 

During the reception, The Duchess joined June Spencer, who plays Peggy Woolley, to cut an Archers-themed 70th birthday cake. Her Royal Highness said:

Ladies and Gentlemen of Ambridge, it is a huge pleasure to welcome you here today to celebrate The Archers’ 70th birthday (just a few years after mine!).

For as long as I can remember, I have loved this programme. It has been my faithful companion for a large part of my life.

Cast members Carole Boyd (Lynda Snell), Sunny Ormonde (Lilian Bellamy) and Ben Norris (Ben Archer) also performed a special scene written for the occasion.

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