Brits can while away the wait until the big event on May 6th with a book: On Thursday (May 4th) a new James Bond novel will be published in Great Britain, which deals for the first time with King Charles III. (74) concerned. The action of “On His Majesty’s Secret Service” also begins two days before the coronation. Various British media such as “The Telegraph” report on the new release.
The British author Charlie Higson (64) plays through the greatest nightmare: A right-wing group is planning an assassination attempt on the monarch during his coronation. 007 is supposed to save Charles at the last minute and travel to a remote Hungarian castle. There the group of failed right-wing politicians, populist inciters and disaffected aristocrats have gathered. The main villain is the self-proclaimed “Æthelstan of Wessex”. He thinks he is the heir to the throne and therefore wants Charles out of the way.
The action story is garnished with some gags towards the king. For example, the following sentence can be read: “It was just his luck to finally make it onto British coins and stamps when people stopped using cash or sending letters.” Hopefully Charles will be able to laugh about it. After all, the royals are considered ardent James Bond fans. Members of the royal family frequently attended premiere parties, and Charles has also been seen at filming. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) even starred in a short film about the 2012 Olympic Games together with the then actor Daniel Craig (55).
The title of the new novel refers to the book “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” by James Bond inventor Ian Fleming (1908-1964). It appeared 60 years ago. Author Charlie Higson previously wrote about 007 as a teenager in the Young Bond series. In the coronation novel he deals for the first time with the adult James Bond. The book costs £12.99 (around €15) in the UK.
