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| Bennett is UK's 'last monarchist' | Bennett is UK's 'last monarchist' |
| (2 days 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 was presented with the Listening Books Award for spoken word at the Hay Festival on Saturday night by James Naughtie. | |
| The award from the charity came with a first edition of Charles Dickens' Bleak House. | |
| It 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. | |
| Bennett had been reading from his diaries and telling anecdotes in a second sell-out event at the festival. | |
| He said he had finished a play about the friendship between poet WH Auden and composer Benjamin Britten, with rehearsals due to start at the National Theatre in September. |