Chris Evans

Chris Evans

Chris Evans is to broadcast live from St. James' Palace.

The BBC Radio 2 presenter will host 'The Chris Evans Breakfast Show' live from the royal residence after the Duchess of Cornwall showed her support for a children's short story competition.

The final of Chris' '500 Words' contest will take place at the palace in London's Westminster in May and will see 50 of the top entries invited into the royal grounds.

The radio DJ said: "We couldn't believe our luck when HRH the Duchess of Cornwall invited us to hold our live on-air final in the stunning surroundings of St. James' Palace. She's a supporter of the competition and cannot wait to meet and greet this year's 50 finalists on the day.

"Get writing and get in the mix, by Royal Appointment."

Duchess Camilla is a patron of the National Literacy Trust and likes to show her support for a wide range of literacy initiatives.

The 67-year-old royal is also set to attend a "story laboratory" to mark the launch of the contest - which aims to draw out budding young writers - at Weston Park Primary School in London later this week.

Anyone under the age of 13 can take part in the competition by writing a work of fiction no longer than 500 words before entering it on Radio 2's website.

The judging panel is made up of 'Top Gear' presenter Richard Hammond and writers Francesca Simon, Charlie Higson, Frank Cottrell Boyce and Children's Laureate Malorie Blackman.

Although 50 lucky children will be invited to St. James' Palace, just six of them will eventually be named as winners and their work will go on to be read on air by celebrities such as last year's contributors Benedict Cumberbatch and Hugh Bonneville.