King Charles III met Daniel Craig, the last James Bond, during a visit to Pinewood Studios in 2019. Getty Images
King Charles III met Daniel Craig, the last James Bond, during a visit to Pinewood Studios in 2019. Getty Images
King Charles III met Daniel Craig, the last James Bond, during a visit to Pinewood Studios in 2019. Getty Images
King Charles III met Daniel Craig, the last James Bond, during a visit to Pinewood Studios in 2019. Getty Images

Culture

Books

James Bond's latest mission is to save King Charles III's coronation

On His Majesty's Secret Service is set to be released two days before the ceremony in May

AFP

March 31, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

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.

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, and comes 60 years after the publication of Bond creator Ian Fleming's tenth novel, On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

"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 realised it had to be ready for the coronation in May," said Higson.

Author and actor Charlie Higson. Photo: Chris Radburn
Author and actor Charlie Higson. Photo: Chris Radburn

"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.

"Fleming famously wrote fast, and I channelled 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 "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.

"The coronation of King Charles III is a momentous occasion for the country," said Corinne Turner, managing director of Ian Fleming Publications.

"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?"

Actors who turned down James Bond roles, from Liam Neeson to Mel Gibson — in pictures

Irish actor Liam Neeson revealed his partner gave him a 'Bond ultimatum', insisting he turn down the role in the 1990s or she wouldn't marry him. AFP
Irish actor Liam Neeson revealed his partner gave him a 'Bond ultimatum', insisting he turn down the role in the 1990s or she wouldn't marry him. AFP
Richard Burton was Bond creator Ian Fleming's first choice to play 007, but the actor was said to have been unimpressed with the character. AFP
Richard Burton was Bond creator Ian Fleming's first choice to play 007, but the actor was said to have been unimpressed with the character. AFP
Cary Grant was a huge Bond fan, but was in his fiftes and too old for the role by the time the first film came out. AFP
Cary Grant was a huge Bond fan, but was in his fiftes and too old for the role by the time the first film came out. AFP
Sir Michael Caine considered himself too 'ordinary' to play the spy. Getty Images
Sir Michael Caine considered himself too 'ordinary' to play the spy. Getty Images
American actor James Brolin impressed producers with his screen test, but lost out when Sir Roger Moore decided to return to the role. Getty Images
American actor James Brolin impressed producers with his screen test, but lost out when Sir Roger Moore decided to return to the role. Getty Images
American actor Burt Reynolds has said he regrets talking Bond producer Albert Broccoli out of giving him the role. Getty Images
American actor Burt Reynolds has said he regrets talking Bond producer Albert Broccoli out of giving him the role. Getty Images
'I got offered the James Bond movies when I was like 26,' said Mel Gibson. He revealed he turned it down for fear of being typecast. AFP
'I got offered the James Bond movies when I was like 26,' said Mel Gibson. He revealed he turned it down for fear of being typecast. AFP
New Zealand actor Sam Neill impressed bosses with his screen test, but later said he 'wouldn't have been any good' as 007. AFP
New Zealand actor Sam Neill impressed bosses with his screen test, but later said he 'wouldn't have been any good' as 007. AFP
Hugh Jackman turned down the chance to play Bond after Pierce Brosnan, because he felt the role wasn't 'gritty' enough. Reuters
Hugh Jackman turned down the chance to play Bond after Pierce Brosnan, because he felt the role wasn't 'gritty' enough. Reuters
Sean Bean lost out to Brosnan, but was cast as the villain Alec Trevelyan in GoldenEye. AFP
Sean Bean lost out to Brosnan, but was cast as the villain Alec Trevelyan in GoldenEye. AFP
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Updated: March 31, 2023, 2:36 PM
Literature