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James Bond Book 'Saves' Charles' Coronation


FILE: President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, laughs as King Charles III speaks during the State Banquet held at Buckingham Palace, London, during the State Visit to the UK by the South African president. Picture date: Tuesday November 22, 2022.
FILE: President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, laughs as King Charles III speaks during the State Banquet held at Buckingham Palace, London, during the State Visit to the UK by the South African president. Picture date: Tuesday November 22, 2022.

LONDON - Legendary spy James Bond faces a race against time to save King Charles III's upcoming coronation in a new story to be released ahead of the May 6 ceremony, it was revealed Friday.

"The coronation of King Charles III is a momentous occasion for the country," said Corinne Turner, managing director of Ian Fleming Publications, named after the original author of the many James Bond books. .

"We asked ourselves how we at Ian Fleming Publications could celebrate it, and the answer seemed obvious. Ian Fleming's On Her Majesty's Secret Service was first published on April 1 1963. What better way, 60 years on, to mark this new chapter in history than with a brand new story: On HIS Majesty's Secret Service?"

Author, actor and comedian Charlie Higson has been commissioned to write the book, in which Bond has to thwart plans to disrupt the coronation ceremony, according to Ian Fleming Publications.

Higson, 64, has already written five books in the "Young Bond" series, which follows the future secret agent during his school days.

"On His Majesty's Secret Service" is due for publication on May 4, putting Higson in a bit of a press.

"When Ian Fleming Publications came to me with the idea of writing an adult Bond story a little more than a month ago I was thrilled - until I realized it had to be ready for the coronation in May," said Higson.

"Getting it written and turned around in such a short space of time was going to be as tense and heart-pounding as any Bond mission. Although, of course, nobody would actually be shooting at me," the author said.

"Fleming famously wrote fast, and I channeled that energy. And now it's so exciting for me to finally enter the world of grown-up Bond."

Higson promised fans the usual cocktail of "sex, violence, cars, a colourful villain with a nasty henchman, and of course, Bond himself."

Royalties from the book will go towards supporting the National Literacy Trust, which provides disadvantaged children with literacy skills.

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