David Walliams reveals his son Albert is writing too – during a video call with Duchess of Cornwall 

David Walliams reveals his son Albert, seven, is writing too – during a video call with the Duchess of Cornwall to mark launch of royal essay contest

  • David Walliams has revealed his son, Albert, is following in his footsteps
  • Duchess of Cornwall asked him whether Albert was set to be an author too
  • Walliams replied: ‘He’s coming up with ideas for stories all the time’

Best-selling children’s author David Walliams has revealed his son, Albert, is following in his footsteps, after being quizzed by the Duchess of Cornwall.

The comedian-turned-writer, who has sold more than 35 million children’s books, is fiercely private when it comes to Alfred, seven, his son with his former wife, model Lara Stone. The pair divorced in 2015 after five years of marriage.

But Camilla disarmingly managed to go where no journalist has gone before as she asked him during a video call, to highlight the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, whether Albert was set to be an author too.

‘Has your son inherited your talent for writing?’ she asked.

Walliams, whose hit books include Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy, replied: ‘He’s coming up with ideas for stories all the time. I mean, they come thick and fast. So he’s really into that and really into stories.’

But he laughingly added: ‘He tends to choose other writers rather than me.’

Best-selling children’s author David Walliams has revealed his son, Albert, is following in his footsteps

Camilla disarmingly managed to go where no journalist has gone before as she asked him during a video call, to highlight the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, whether Albert was set to be an author too

Camilla disarmingly managed to go where no journalist has gone before as she asked him during a video call, to highlight the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, whether Albert was set to be an author too

Walliams began dating Miss Stone in 2009 and they married at London’s Claridge Hotel in 2010, with Albert being born in 2013. They divorced when their son was two and he has barely spoken about him in public since.

The duchess, who has met Walliams several times before, spoke to him about the importance of young people reading and writing.

Camilla has been Vice-Patron of the Royal Commonwealth Society since 2018. Her Majesty The Queen has been Patron of the Society since 1952.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition (QCEC) is the world’s oldest international schools’ writing competition and has been managed by the Royal Commonwealth Society since 1883.

Comedian and author David Walliams during a tea party hosted by the Duchess of Cornwall in 2017

Comedian and author David Walliams during a tea party hosted by the Duchess of Cornwall in 2017

For 2020, the theme of the QCEC is ‘Climate Action and the Commonwealth’, and asks young people to think about the power of their position in bringing about change (pictured: David Walliams during a tea party hosted by the Duchess of Cornwall, 2017)

For 2020, the theme of the QCEC is ‘Climate Action and the Commonwealth’, and asks young people to think about the power of their position in bringing about change (pictured: David Walliams during a tea party hosted by the Duchess of Cornwall, 2017)

For 2020, the theme of the QCEC is ‘Climate Action and the Commonwealth’, and asks young people to think about the power of their position in bringing about change.

Entries can be a story or even a poem and submissions close on until June 30.

Walliams told the duchess he was keeping himself busy writing and added: ‘Really be as imaginative as you can. There’s millions of children who could potentially enter this competition.

‘They have got a chance, haven’t they, until June to submit their stories online at the Royal Commonwealth Society website.

‘Well it’s never a better time, I think, to be writing or reading than this time. And I find, personally, that when I do creative work, it passes the time beautifully.’

Camilla added: ‘We just want lots and lots and lots of these aspiring young writers to enter because, as you said before, some of their stories really are verging on brilliant.

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