To commemorate the bicentenary of the birth of Charles Dickens, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall took part in a wreath-laying ceremony in Poets' Corner, Westminster Abbey.

The ceremony was one of the many events held this year to mark the 200th birth anniversary of the Victorian era writer.

Prince Charles led the global celebrations on Tuesday starting with a visit to the Charles Dickens Museum in London and then taking part in the wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of the writer.

The ceremony also involved readings from the Dickens' novels and his other writings by actor and director Ralph Fiennes, author Claire Tomalin and two of Dickens' descendants.

"Dickens' humanity and compassion made an extraordinary impact on Victorian England through his writings, which remain immensely popular. This bicentenary should help renew our commitment to improving the lot of the disadvantaged of our own day," the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr. John Hall said.

At the event, Prince Charles mentioned that despite the passage of many years, Charles Dickens still remains one of the "greatest writers of the English language, who used his creative genius to campaign passionately for social justice."

"The word Dickensian instantly conjures up a vivid picture of Victorian life with all its contrasts and intrigue, and his characterisation is as fresh today as it was on the day it was written. It is fitting that in Portsmouth the emphasis of the celebrations is on Dickens' youth, and I am delighted to learn of your plans to use the bicentenary as a focus to encourage literacy, creative writing and performance in schools across the city," the Telegraph UK quoted Prince Charles saying.

Apart from the royals, other guests present at the ceremony included director Mike Newell, writers David Nicholls and Armando Iannucci.

Take a look at the wreath-laying ceremony and other events led by Prince Charles during the bicentenary in the slideshow given:

London