Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla to read extracts of Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol, to royal fans, over the festive period

If you're not already in the Christmas spirit the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall are here to help—by reading extracts of a classic tale, A Christmas Carol, to us via Instagram. 

• The royals will read extracts of the Charles Dickens story to us via Camilla's book club on Instagram
• They will also be joined by famous faces including Miriam Margolyes and Stephen Mangan
• In other royal news, The Queen will deliver a heartfelt and personal Christmas speech this year

The royal couple, who will spend Christmas day with the Queen, will read the extracts of the well-known story, via the Duchesses reading room Instagram page over the 12 days of Christmas—with Prince Charles starting the reading on Christmas day.

The couple announced the lovely surprise on Instagram, with a video explaining why they would be reading the classic tale and a note which says, "The Reading Room is delighted to announce that over the Twelve Days of Christmas, we will be reading, with the help of some very special friends, Charles Dickens’ wonderful story, ‘A Christmas Carol’."

The video, which has had nearly 14,000 views, starts with Camilla, sitting in front of a roaring fire and Christmas decorations, explaining, "A Christmas Carol is a story which in so many ways began Christmas as we know it today. It follows themes of love, kindness, compassion and tolerance, and it speaks to the heart."

While the Instagram post goes on to say, "In collaboration with the @dickensmuseum, we will bring you extracts of the book read by Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall; as well as some of our greatest actors, including Miriam Margolyes, Paterson Joseph, Sir Derek Jacobi, Simon Callow, Stephen Mangan and Bridgette Amofah."

If you want to follow the story with them, as they read it, the Dickens museum has also made a PDF version of ‘A Christmas Carol’ via their website.

Camilla, started her book club in January this year, and it has since been praised by the likes of Judi Dench. The Duchess is the patron of several literary organizations and has previously spoken about her love of reading.

The royal will be spending Christmas with her husband and the Queen - after Princess Anne's husband tested positive for Covid 19.

They will no doubt spend the day remembering Prince Philip - who passed away earlier this year. The Queen, who is set to pay tribute to her late husband in her Christmas Day speech, cancelled her Christmas plans in Sandringham this year.