Camilla's gem of a joke at Charles Dickens' house

THE Queen visited one of the homes of Charles Dickens yesterday - but resisted the urge to make like the pickpockets in one of his most famous novels, Oliver Twist.

- By Tony Jones

Camilla was shown a diamond ring taken as a keepsake and worn by the Victorian author after his sister-in-law, Mary Hogarth, died in his arms.

Admired

Her Majesty admired the precious gem at the Charles Dickens Museum, saying: “It is rather lovely.” But after Oliver Dickens - the writer's great-great-great-grandson - told the Queen the tragic tale attached to it, she handed it back and quipped: “I won't nick it!”