Duchess Camilla opens up on ‘faithful companion’ she missed during lockdown—and it’s not Prince Charles

Duchess Camilla has spoken out about the “faithful companion” that “all but disappeared” from her life during lockdown and it’s not her husband of 16 years, Prince Charles.  

• The Duchess of Cornwall has long been an avid fan of popular BBC Radio Soap Opera, The Archers, which has now marked its milestone 70th anniversary. 
• Duchess Camilla shared just how much it meant to her as she described having The Archers “withdrawal symptoms” for it during the UK’s lockdown.
• This royal news comes as Prince Charles is to step in for the Queen following the death of her close friend.  

Duchess Camilla has expressed her delight at being able to enjoy listening to her “faithful companion”, The Archers, after being left with “withdrawal symptoms” for the program during lockdown. The long-running BBC Radio 4 series is set in the fictional village of Ambridge and brings to life the dramas of rural life, as well as raising awareness of important issues such as addiction and modern slavery. 

The Duchess of Cornwall has previously appeared in a special episode to mark The Archer’s 60th year on air, but now another decade later, things have got even more exciting for the show’s royal super-fan. As the show marked its 70th anniversary on December 7th, she was delighted to welcome many members of The Archers’ cast and crew to Clarence House, her and Prince Charles’ London home. 

And it wasn’t long before the Duchess of Cornwall shared just how much listening to the hit radio show brings to her life. 

Opening up in a speech to all the honored guests, she described herself as one of The Archers “addicts” out there and revealed it’s been her “faithful companion” for many years.  

“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,” she joyfully explained.

And it seems that even Prince Charles isn’t allowed to interrupt her when she’s immersed in the everyday goings on in the fictional Midlands village. 

Duchess Camilla continued, “Like many other Archers addicts, I have been known to become quite ratty if disturbed between 7pm and 7.15pm—and, like thousands of others, had severe withdrawal symptoms when you all but disappeared during lockdown.”

Earlier this year during the UK’s lockdown, The Archers was unable to bring together it’s much-loved cast of characters. Instead, special episodes featured them having one way conversations. Now The Archers is back bigger and better than ever and the Duchess is “very glad” and hoping they can “keep it that way”.

"For 70 years of raising awareness of others' hidden struggles, we are deeply grateful,” she declared, before going on to praise the show's “gentle wit, accurate description of rural life and wonderful characterisation”.

For this special reception a special, one-off scene was performed by the cast at Clarence House, though this wasn’t the first time Duchess Camilla has got to experience the magic of The Archers first-hand. Back in 2011, she visited BBC Birmingham and appeared as herself in a cameo performance in their 60th anniversary episode. 

During the UK’s lockdowns last year, Duchess Camilla and Prince Charles spent time at their Scottish home, Birkhall, on the Queen’s Balmoral estate. Throughout this challenging time, the Duchess seems to have missed her favorite radio show greatly. Though now with The Archers now back in full swing, she’ll no doubt be enjoying her evening program even more as the cold winter nights draw in.