Prince George’s favourite story? It’s The Gruffalo
WITH millions of copies sold, The Gruffalo has proved popular with children up and down the length of Britain.
And it seems that the youngsters in the Royal household are no different. The Duke of Cambridge revealed yesterday that Prince George and Princess Charlotte are big fans of the children’s book by Julia Donaldson, and they listen to the audiobook on long car journeys.
Prince William made the comments when presenting actress imelda staunton, who narrates the audiobook, with a CBE yesterday. Miss staunton said: ‘We did have a nice chat about what i do and that their children listen to me because i’ve done all of the Julia Donaldson books, The Gruffalo and ten or 12 others, and they listen to them in the car so they know my voice.’
The 60-year-old, who has won four Olivier Awards and a Bafta, was hon- oured for her services to drama at Buckingham Palace.
The Gruffalo has sold more than 13.5 million copies worldwide since its release in 1999, and it has also been made into an animated film starring Robbie Coltrane.
Miss staunton, who won a Bafta for Vera Drake and starred in two of the harry Potter films, is married to Downton Abbey actor Jim Carter. she has just finished a West End run in Gypsy.
she said: ‘hard work is great but, having done eight months last year, i don’t want to do any theatre this year because i have to have a life. My husband has stopped doing Downton Abbey and also stopped being chairman of the cricket club so we have a bit of that strange thing called life.’