The annual Windsor Festival is in full swing - with famous names from the world of art, literature and the Royal Family involved.

But we live in strange times and it is a 'virtual' festival this year.

Festival director Martin Denny said: “It is wonderful to be able to present the Virtual Windsor Festival and to have been able to pull together an enticing and interesting series of events when it is not possible to hold the festival events as they normally would be.

"Many people have worked hard and in new territory to help us put this on and the resulting programme is really exciting.

"I would have never have expected my twentieth festival to be like this! I hope that people will have the chance to engage with events via our website windsorfestival.com and will enjoy them from the comfort of their own home.”

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All events can be watched free of charge, except where there is a book included. But people are being encouraged to donate towards the costs of the Virtual Festival by clicking the Donate Now button on each event page.

All details of events are available via the website: www.windsorfestival.com

The Virtual Windsor Festival 2020 began Sunday with a conversation between festival patron The Earl of Wessex and Martin Denny.

Events run till Sunday, October 4, concluding with royal expert Hugo Vickers talking about the role of the Queen and the Royal Family in 2020, the challenges they have faced and the effect of the Netflix series ‘The Crown’.”.

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Other events include the usual mix of literary talks, recitals and concerts, virtual exhibitions and an architectural trail of Eton College.

There will be a recital by Jonathan Swensen: Winner of the Windsor Festival International String Competition 2019 on Friday, October 2.

While among the authors hosting literary events will be Luke Harding talking about his terrifying book Shadow State, analysing the murderous Russian regime.

The Music Scholars of Eton College will be performing tonight (Friday) at 7pm. With the exciting final of the Berkshire Young Singer of the Year competition on Saturday, October 3.