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| Bennett is UK's 'last monarchist' | Bennett is UK's 'last monarchist' |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Playwright Alan Bennett has explained his decision to turn down a knighthood, despite describing himself as the last monarchist in the country. | Playwright Alan Bennett has explained his decision to turn down a knighthood, despite describing himself as the last monarchist in the country. |
| Speaking at the the Hay Festival of Literature, in mid Wales, he said the title "just wouldn't suit me". | Speaking at the the Hay Festival of Literature, in mid Wales, he said the title "just wouldn't suit me". |
| He then explained that whatever replaced it would only be worse. | He then explained that whatever replaced it would only be worse. |
| The raconteur, author and comedian, 74, then went on to praise the Prince of Wales, describing him as a man who "really works his ass off". | The raconteur, author and comedian, 74, then went on to praise the Prince of Wales, describing him as a man who "really works his ass off". |
| "I often think of myself as the last person who is a monarchist really, simply because I simply can't imagine if we had anything in its place it would be anything but worse," he said. | "I often think of myself as the last person who is a monarchist really, simply because I simply can't imagine if we had anything in its place it would be anything but worse," he said. |
| Expanding on his opinion of Charles, he added: "I've met Prince Charles two or three times and on each occasion the same thing has struck me, namely that he really works his ass off. | Expanding on his opinion of Charles, he added: "I've met Prince Charles two or three times and on each occasion the same thing has struck me, namely that he really works his ass off. |
| "He's much more conscientious and attentive to people than he is ever given credit for and so, as I say, I have a great deal of time for him." | "He's much more conscientious and attentive to people than he is ever given credit for and so, as I say, I have a great deal of time for him." |
| Explaining his reason for turning down a knighthood he explained: "I felt that in my case, it just wouldn't suit me, that's all. It would be like wearing a suit every day of your life." | Explaining his reason for turning down a knighthood he explained: "I felt that in my case, it just wouldn't suit me, that's all. It would be like wearing a suit every day of your life." |
| Bennett will be presented with the Listening Books Award for spoken word at the Hay Festival on Saturday night, which is awarded to someone who has used his or her voice in a way that has made a special impact. Previous winners include Sandy Toksvig and Melvyn Bragg. |