London, UK - Prince Charles and Camilla recorded a special reading of the poem 'Twas The Night Before Christmas along with several international film stars to raise money for charity.

Among the celebrity cast were James Bond actors Dame Judi Dench (86) and Daniel Craig (52).

The heir to the throne read the well-known opening lines of Clement Clarke Moore’s poem: "'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse."

Charles, patron of the Actors Benevolent Fund (ABF), came up with the idea after being approached by the charity to help amid increasing hardship artists in the creative industries face due to the restrictions caused by Covid-19.

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The fund usually supports older artists experiencing difficulties owing to illness or injury.

But this year, many younger colleagues require help too as a myriad of performances, exhibitions, and film projects among others were cancelled due to the 2020 pandemic.

The recording of the festive poem was released on the Clarence House social media channels on Thursday.

Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Daniel Craig, Ncuti Gatwa, Joanna Lumley, Tom Hardy and Penelope Keith, the ABF president, each recorded sections of the festive poem online in pandemic-fashion or under strict restrictions at the residence of the royalty.

This year, the ABF reports it has received more applications for help than ever before and many celebrities have donated large sums, among them Rihanna and Justin Timberlake.

The royal couple hopes their project will raise much-needed funds for the coming year.