Doctor Who Studio Gets A Royal Visit

By TGT | 3rd July 2013

It seems that just about everybody is getting in on the 50th Anniversary celebrations. Today, Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visited BBC Cymru Wales’ Roath Lock studios in Cardiff to meet members of the cast and crew and get a tour around the TARDIS.

They were greeted by Rhodri Talfan Davies (Director, BBC Cymru Wales), Danny Cohen (Director, BBC Television), Faith Penhale (Head of Drama, BBC Wales & Executive Producer, Doctor Who) and Clare Hudson (Head of BBC Cymru Wales Productions), where they were taken to the Doctor Who production office to meet members of the team, including Executive Producer Brian Minchin and Production Designer Michael Pickwoad.

Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall were introduced to Executive Producer Steven Moffat as well as Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman, who play The Doctor and Clara respectively. After a quick lesson from Smith, the royal couple were allowed to take control and fly the TARDIS. Unfortunately there were no photos taken during flight, so we there is no evidence which decorated quarry they visited.

The itinerary then led Their Royal Highnesses to meet some of Doctor Who’s best monsters, including Cybermen, Ood, Dan Starkey – in full costume – as Strax the Sontaran, and a Dalek, with Nicholas Briggs on hand to improvise a conversation with The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.

Their hour long visit also included a visit to the special effects department complete with a crash course from Special Effects Supervisor Danny Hargreaves. As Their Royal Highnesses left the studio, a crowd of ‘well-wishers’ gathered to cheer and wave them off.

Faith Penhale said:

“It was lovely to welcome Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall to the home of Doctor Who to help celebrate the show’s 50th anniversary. Certainly, seeing Prince Charles flying the TARDIS and Their Royal Highnesses chatting to a Dalek are memories to cherish from what looks set to be a very memorable year!”

A video of the royal visit is to be uploaded to the Doctor Who website soon, but in the meantime, here are some photos for you to enjoy: