Service commemorates bicentenary of Charles Dickens's birth

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall led the celebrations today to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens.

Dickens was born in Portsmouth in 1812 and went on to become one of Britain’s most important authors, challenging social norms in Victorian Britain and the lot of children in particular.

During a service held in Westminster Abbey, Prince Charles laid a wreath on the author's grave in Poets’ Corner.

Readings from the author’s works were given by actor Ralph Fiennes, author Claire Tomalin, and Dickens's great-great grandson, Mark Dickens.

The Dean of Westminster, the Very Rev Dr John Hall, said: “Dickens's humanity and compassion made an extraordinary impact on Victorian England through his writings, which remain immensely popular.

“This bicentenary should help renew our commitment to improving the lot of the disadvantaged of our own day.”

Events are taking place in other parts of the UK and around the world today to celebrate Dickens’s literary contribution.

Another service at St Mary’s Church in Portsmouth was joined by biographer Simon Callow and actress Sheila Hancock, who read from Oliver Twist.

A global 24-hour “readathon” of Dickens’s work has been organised by the British Council. It got underway in Australia in the morning and is due to finish in the early hours of Wednesday in the United Arab Emirates. The UK-leg will take place at the British Film Institute.