Prince Charles joined acting royalty for a surprise stage appearance to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.
The Prince of Wales became the Prince of Denmark as he quoted the opening line of the famous “To be or not to be” soliloquy from Hamlet.
The heir to the throne interrupted a star-studded TV gala performance featuring Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen in the Bard’s birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon.
Benedict Cumberbatch and David Tennant were also among acting greats to pay tribute to the playwright's continuing legacy.
Charles, who had been watching the Shakespeare Live! From The Royal Shakespeare Company show with the Duchess of Cornwall, was heard to speak from the wings, asking: "Might I have a word ... "
Then followed the opening lines to what is one of Shakespeare's best-known soliloquys: "To be or not to be, that is the question."
The show, which featured Shakespeare-inspired work spanning a range of musical genres, was screened live to 368 cinemas in the UK and Europe.
Backstage after the performance, Charles spoke to stars including Helen Mirren, Dame Judi and David Suchet.
Asked what they made of Prince's stage debut, Helen Mirren joked: "Never act with children, animals ...", before she and Dame Judi chorused: "Or Prince Charles!"
Meanwhile, comedian Al Murray, who had earlier played the donkey-eared Bottom opposite Dame Judi in a rendition of a scene from A Midsummer Night's Dream said: "I had a ball".
The surprise royal appearance marked the end of a day celebrating the town's most famous son.
Earlier Charles visited the last resting place of the Bard at Holy Trinity Church, laying a wreath at his grave, after touring the site of a new garden located on what was the location of the world-renowned playwright's former home.
Additional reporting by PA
